Sicarius
Well-Known Member
I still recommend giving it a go. After a few aquariums, you will see that a lot of species overlap, just like it is the case for other zoo animals. I collect fish myself, I'm nearing 2500 different species now.
Why aren’t fish more popular?
- Thread starter RatioTile
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There’s definitely some “ABC animals” that are fish. Ubiquitous in aquariums, but most visitors can’t name most, or even any, of them (which says a lot about signage).
Sharks and rays: sand tiger shark, blacktip reef shark, zebra shark, nurse shark, white spotted bamboo shark, cownose ray, blue spotted ribbon tail ray, some of the freshwater stingrays.
Freshwater fish: red-bellied piranha, tambaqui, electric eel, red-tailed catfish, arowanas, assorted Malawi cichlids, koi, goldfish.
Marine fish: ocellaris clownfish, regal tang, yellow tang, green chromis, longspine porcupinefish, Banggai cardinalfish, clown triggerfish, red lionfish, some moray eels, giant grouper.
Sharks and rays: sand tiger shark, blacktip reef shark, zebra shark, nurse shark, white spotted bamboo shark, cownose ray, blue spotted ribbon tail ray, some of the freshwater stingrays.
Freshwater fish: red-bellied piranha, tambaqui, electric eel, red-tailed catfish, arowanas, assorted Malawi cichlids, koi, goldfish.
Marine fish: ocellaris clownfish, regal tang, yellow tang, green chromis, longspine porcupinefish, Banggai cardinalfish, clown triggerfish, red lionfish, some moray eels, giant grouper.
If you think fish got the short end of the stick, ask the invertebrates...
As someone who has aquaria with fish in his zoo, I can tell you one thing: keeping fish tanks representative for public display can be quite the challenge. The element of water is a tricky one, even if you just keep guppies. The very second ypu, your knowledge and equipment (filtration, lights etc.) aren't up to the task, visitors will notice it, may it be due to algae blooms, sick/dying fish etc. And don't get me started on maintainance costs...
Other aspects (lack of direct interaction, human resemblence, preference of mammalian megafauna etc.) have already been mentioned. And yet, public aquaria are hugely popular, with millions of visitors every year and a whole commercial chain of them spread globally.
So I wouldn't say that fish in general aren't popular; most of them just take a back seat to charismatic mammalian megafauna representatives in zoos. Just like most small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Tiger, panda and elephant - yay! Smew, grayling or yellow sac spiders - nay!
As someone who has aquaria with fish in his zoo, I can tell you one thing: keeping fish tanks representative for public display can be quite the challenge. The element of water is a tricky one, even if you just keep guppies. The very second ypu, your knowledge and equipment (filtration, lights etc.) aren't up to the task, visitors will notice it, may it be due to algae blooms, sick/dying fish etc. And don't get me started on maintainance costs...
Other aspects (lack of direct interaction, human resemblence, preference of mammalian megafauna etc.) have already been mentioned. And yet, public aquaria are hugely popular, with millions of visitors every year and a whole commercial chain of them spread globally.
So I wouldn't say that fish in general aren't popular; most of them just take a back seat to charismatic mammalian megafauna representatives in zoos. Just like most small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Tiger, panda and elephant - yay! Smew, grayling or yellow sac spiders - nay!
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It also says a lot about the main motivation of most visitors to visit your facility (i.e. entertainment, not learning), and maybe human nature and current zeitgeist in general...
I feel an aspect of this is that very few people are interested in an individual fish. People enjoy seeing fish in schools, in large tunnels, in colorful reefs, groups of cichlids without knowing what they are. They are more attractive as a sum than individual parts; which is why massive open ocean galleries, large reef exhibits, and shark tunnels are three of the most popular sorts of of aquarium habitats. Even sharks, which people may have some familiarity with and may be able to name a few species, are often held in multispecies tanks. The individual fish means very little in all of this.
My thought is that this is because there is much less interest in fish behavior; it is much more difficult to anthropomorphize fish behavior as you can with mammals, birds and even reptiles -- to the average person, they swim, they swim, sometimes they eat, and they swim some more. While I am sure many zoochatters can describe more complex and interesting behavior, I can think of very little that the average person may be aware of. This contrasts how casual visitors often want to see a lion roar, see a monkey swing. see a kangaroo hop.
The prevalence of such beautiful multispecies exhibits also makes it harder to focus on the unique traits of individual species. Signage that tells you the name of a fish and where it live is often the best you can hope for, in comparison to mammal exhibits that may sometimes have several signs explaining different behaviors or adaptions in detail. When you have two dozen species of fish you cannot dedicate that level of detail to every species contained.
It is unfortunate, I often wish I was better educated about fish.
My thought is that this is because there is much less interest in fish behavior; it is much more difficult to anthropomorphize fish behavior as you can with mammals, birds and even reptiles -- to the average person, they swim, they swim, sometimes they eat, and they swim some more. While I am sure many zoochatters can describe more complex and interesting behavior, I can think of very little that the average person may be aware of. This contrasts how casual visitors often want to see a lion roar, see a monkey swing. see a kangaroo hop.
The prevalence of such beautiful multispecies exhibits also makes it harder to focus on the unique traits of individual species. Signage that tells you the name of a fish and where it live is often the best you can hope for, in comparison to mammal exhibits that may sometimes have several signs explaining different behaviors or adaptions in detail. When you have two dozen species of fish you cannot dedicate that level of detail to every species contained.
It is unfortunate, I often wish I was better educated about fish.
That's absolutely true! My generalization was more referring to the anonymous individual, but there will of course by individuals who are exceptional enough to draw attention.
I would certainly love to hear more stories of popular individual aquarium fish. In all of my years visiting the Shedd Aquarium, the only fish I've seen acknowledged on an individual basis there is Granddad the famously long-lived Australian lungfish, and I often spent a few additional moments by his tank from childhood to adulthood out of interest.
I do write fish which are somehow unusual and remarkable, but not most.
Most interesting species in aquaria I know is human. I seen some public feeding with a narrator, and they always attract a crowd. Also a diver working in the tank is usually more popular than whatever animal lives in the tank.
Aquariums could, indeed, name remarkable fish, for example individual sharks, large rays or groupers. They are long-lived and about the size and value of charismatic megafauna, so it is a plus. Can be worth a try.
About behavior, in a travel museum in Bremen, Germany they have archerfish feeding, and it is relatively popular. I also noticed that these blennies which constantly build burrows and empty mouthfuls of grit are interesting to people. There were also these octopus which fascinate people when they open jars, squeeze through narrow holes etc.
About interactions, skin-feeding fish were popular a little. But other fish like koi might be more interesting.
I personally like interesting recreated habitats. Not that aquaria all looking the same, but different hicrohabitats. Also, a good contrast between species. 5 similar species of shark together are somehow boring.
Most interesting species in aquaria I know is human. I seen some public feeding with a narrator, and they always attract a crowd. Also a diver working in the tank is usually more popular than whatever animal lives in the tank.
Aquariums could, indeed, name remarkable fish, for example individual sharks, large rays or groupers. They are long-lived and about the size and value of charismatic megafauna, so it is a plus. Can be worth a try.
About behavior, in a travel museum in Bremen, Germany they have archerfish feeding, and it is relatively popular. I also noticed that these blennies which constantly build burrows and empty mouthfuls of grit are interesting to people. There were also these octopus which fascinate people when they open jars, squeeze through narrow holes etc.
About interactions, skin-feeding fish were popular a little. But other fish like koi might be more interesting.
I personally like interesting recreated habitats. Not that aquaria all looking the same, but different hicrohabitats. Also, a good contrast between species. 5 similar species of shark together are somehow boring.
I argue that gar are also very popular freshwaterfish amongst aquaria
Also having seen them in Turkey, I am starting to believe that garden eels might be slowly reaching to the ABC spot.
From road side zoos to the EAZA member Faruk Yalçın Zoo feeding koi using a baby bottle has been popular in Turkey for a while (albeit I do not know how hazardous it could get for the fishes)
Has already been done several times.
Could whale sharks be a contender for "most charismatic fish?" Anecdotally I've heard of people who want to go to Georgia Aquarium just to see them. Their status as the world's largest fish, rarity, and challenge to keep alive in captivity (and maybe nice pattern) are factors that contribute to them drawing crowds. It seems like hammerhead sharks are also, to a lesser extent, more charismatic than other sharks due to recognizability, and manta rays and ocean sunfish also have the "wow" factor.
ifesbob
Well-Known Member
Whale sharks and anything big is definitely up there. I'd definitely say the main reason I want to get to Georgia Aquarium is to see the whale shark.
I would reckon Great whites take the cake for that prize due to their reputation, size and perceived aggression. Having said that, Whale shark is the obvious pick when it comes to fish species actually in captivity.
It's "Nemo" and "Dory".
And "Baby Shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo.." No matter the country, parents will sing that to kids when they see any shark.
I think this is largely due to their relatively short lifespan, combined with most fish living in groups that make it difficult to identify individuals. The same can be applied to species like mice and insects, budgies in walk-through aviaries, etc. The ones that are more personable are ones with longer life spans that are easier to identify - sharks, catfish that are the only ones of their species in a tank, etc.
I'm simply just not as interested in fish and not as knowledgeable about them. I've kept track of mammals, birds, and reptiles since 2020, and this year started to keep track of amphibians as well. Perhaps in the future I'll keep track of some fish, but it's simply too difficult, as someone who isn't super knowledgeable about fish, to keep track of them. I do enjoy seeing fish, but it's much more of a passive "those are some pretty fish", than an active "I see xyz species in this tank". With walk-through aviaries and African savannas, I'm much more of the latter- finding appreciation in the individual species present and searching for species from the sign, but with fish I'm much more likely to appreciate them at a broader, aesthetic level than in regards to specific species and their biology and behavior.
Furthermore, on this site I suspect you see more interest in other animals because it's called "ZooChat" not "AquariumChat". A lot of people join because of an interest in traditional zoos, not aquariums. Not to say aquarium enthusiasts don't have a place here, just that they aren't as numerous as bird, mammal, and reptile enthusiasts.
Furthermore, on this site I suspect you see more interest in other animals because it's called "ZooChat" not "AquariumChat". A lot of people join because of an interest in traditional zoos, not aquariums. Not to say aquarium enthusiasts don't have a place here, just that they aren't as numerous as bird, mammal, and reptile enthusiasts.
One could make this same exact argument for animas like birds, and small mammals, and herptiles. There are plenty of aquarium enthusiasts on this website as well. There are plenty of reasons to appreciate animals on their own levels, even ones that traditionally get the short of the stick. In my opinion, the way that Iniistus wrasses change radically throughout their lives is far more interesting than yet more primate group dynamics being discussed on Zoochat. Not trying to bash people who like popular animals, just making a case for aquatic animals.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
Many children love the fishes, they can look them for hours (it applies to zoos and public aquaria, but also to the pet shops and other places where there are live fish). For a time my children used to look the fish in the hippo/croc pools of our home zoo, while they weren't interested about their main inhabitants, less mobile (so less interesting for a young child)!
But the general public isn't interested in knowing all the names of the species, without talking about the individual lives of the fishes (often displayed in very large schools). It's the main reason of the poor signage of the fish species in zoos (compared to mammals/birds/herps), it's often better in the public aquaria.
But the general public isn't interested in knowing all the names of the species, without talking about the individual lives of the fishes (often displayed in very large schools). It's the main reason of the poor signage of the fish species in zoos (compared to mammals/birds/herps), it's often better in the public aquaria.
The Aquarium at Pittsburgh Zoo's a good way of creating "dynamic" tanks - presentation's the most important part as far as displaying any species. A gallery of reptiles isn't going to be nearly as exciting as a dome with displays that extend into the visitor path, bird houses with walk-through aviaries are quite popular, etc. Fish are amazing creatures, and while I personally love WCS/National Aquarium style galleries, I also love stuff in the same vein as Pittsburgh Zoo's Aquarium.