Discover the Wonders: Top 10 Amazing Fun Facts About Aquariums You Never Knew!

1. "Fin-scription": Fish-watching for mental health

Who needs a prescription, when all you need is a "fin-scription?": A study by the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth University, and the University of Exeter found that ogling aquarium displays with various amounts of fish can significantly reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and higher numbers of fish in the tank grab people's attention longer and boost their mood —proving that fish-watching can hook you in (pun intended) to better mental health, even if you can't swim through natural outdoor settings.
Source => sciencedaily.com

2. Memory Boost: Aquariums & Alzheimer's

Who said fish are just for sushi lovers and Finding Nemo fans? Turns out, having a school of fish swimming about can give a much-needed boost to certain memories: Aquariums can significantly improve nutritional intake in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as a study showed a whopping 21.1% increase in their food consumption over a 16-week period, leading to weight gain and reducing the need for nutritional supplements – an aquatic win-win for healthcare costs!
Source => pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Did you know there's a fish that can create its own electric field to "see" and communicate? Discover how hormones play a role in this electrifying underwater dance!

=> Fun Facts about Fish

3. Blood Pressure Buddies: Calming Aquariums

Feeling the pressure? Don't flounder – just keep swimming with a few finned friends: Watching fish in an aquarium can actually lower your blood pressure, providing a calming effect on your nerves and making it a fantastic addition to your home or workplace for both relaxation and health benefits.
Source => mhainde.org

4. Marble Tanks: Romans & Fishponds

Forget finding Nemo in ancient Rome; they had a "marble-ous" taste for outdoor fishponds instead: Romans kept fish in elaborate marble tanks in their gardens and dining areas around 50 AD, but there's no evidence of personal glass-sided aquariums for indoor use.
Source => wetwebmedia.com

5. First Public Aquarium: Philip Henry Gosse

Before Poseidon ever thought about making a splash on the silver screen, one man named Philip Henry Gosse found Nemo and friends a new home to captivate land dwellers: In 1853, Gosse created the world's first public aquarium in London, coining the term "aquarium" and setting the stage for a future of mesmerizing underwater exhibits and marine life conservation.
Source => montereyboats.com

6. Underwater Exhibit: Phantasy Fairytale

Once upon a submersible time in a land far, far below the sea, a blast-from-the-past art exhibit serenaded by an underwater DJ gave a fantastical twist to the phrase "swimming with the fishes": The Phantasy Fairytale exhibition, featuring submerged portrayals of classic characters like Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood, can be marveled at from within the depths of the Subsix music club and LIME spa, both situated beneath the shimmering waves of the Maldives. Encased in Plexiglas and stainless steel, these artistic glimpses into an underwater fairytale world blur the line between the real and the imagined—and can even be purchased as souvenirs of your plunge into this enchanting aquatic adventure.
Source => prweb.com

7. Origin of Aquariums: Samuel Pepys & Glass Containers

Before we dive into the glass-half-full history of underwater pet resorts: In 1665, the earliest known instance of keeping aquatic life in glass containers was documented by diarist Samuel Pepys, who observed paradise fish swimming in a glass of water in London—courtesy of the East India Company's trading ventures in Guangzhou, China. This watery discovery eventually spawned the development of the modern aquariums we know and splish-splash in today!
Source => cs.mcgill.ca

8. Whale Sharks: World's Largest Aquarium

If you thought your goldfish tank was impressive, hold onto your snorkels: The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta boasts the title of the world's largest aquarium and the only place outside of Asia where you can see whale sharks. Filled to the brim with a whopping 6.3 million gallons of water in its Ocean Voyager exhibit, visitors get a chance to be awestruck by these majestic ocean dwellers, although the decision to keep whale sharks in captivity has stirred quite a few storms in teacups due to ethical concerns.
Source => touropia.com

9. Priciest Pets: Peppermint Angelfish & Platinum Arowana

Some fish are worth more than gold, or even a winning lottery ticket: The Peppermint Angelfish, sporting a fabulous red and white striped ensemble, can set collectors back up to $30,000, while the gleaming Platinum Arowana, complete with metallic scales and an impressive dental display, has fetched a jaw-dropping $400,000, making them some of the priciest pets on the planet.
Source => beautifullife.info

10. Custom Aquatic Experiences: Zoo Celebrations

Did you know you could make a splash at the zoo without even getting wet? From popping the ultimate question to topping off an amazing birthday bash, the underwater world provides a fin-tastic backdrop for life's unforgettable moments: For $310, the Wild Encounters team at the zoo will craft a personalized aquatic experience for your chosen sea creature, complete with a themed decoration or toy, offering a one-of-a-kind encounter perfect for proposals, gender reveals, prom-posals, and birthdays - just be sure to book it two weeks in advance (and don't forget those admission and parking fees)!
Source => torontozoo.com