Which is better and WHY Fresh or marine aquariums.?

Question

Just throwing this out there as a poll. I had a fresh water aquarium once. Fish sat there ate sat there ate... wasnt enough to hold my attention. My salt water though the fish fight me for the food had a grouper chase some food out of the tank as well as the actual personalities each fish has. Why waste money on fresh water? So in my supreme opinion fresh waters not worth it.

Answer 1

You make a good point about personalities of the fish and I would suggest you just had less personable fish in your freshwater tank. Very few people that have ever owned an Oscar will tell you they don't have personality. The truth is, that's true for many, many cichlids. The selection is just as great if you look and the personality and color of freshwater fish can easily meet that of saltwater if one takes the time to make proper choices in fish, just like with saltwater. It's not really that one is better than the other, it's just a matter of selection and choice.

MM

Answer 2

Honestly I always thought that fresh water fish aren't that cute and marine are more bright etc. Usually, I'm not one to say that you shouldn't wear fur or test products on animals but after a biology class I had last semester I'm going to answer your Q differently.

There is only so much of the coral reef (the stuff the feeds the marine fish that you love so much) left in the ocean. Every time ppl try to catch these fish to eventually sell them not only do half the fish die but they are kill the coral reef with their boats and nets too. So, not only will divers not have anything to see but the fish wont have anything to live on.

So which is more important to you...a fish that entertains you by chasing the food out of the tank or the fish having food to live on in the ocean?

If you really want something to entertain you get a dog. At least half the litter doesn't die and when you buy one.

Answer 3

I have both as well. However if I had to choose, I would choose Marine for more reasons than I can name here.

Yep fresh water is kind of bland and I have had some off the wall fresh water fish. Salt water is a whole world going on behind the glass. The fish are more interesting, colorful as well as the setting and creatures.

Many people stay clear of salt water because they do not understand it. Since it isn't like fresh water they are afraid of making mistakes (and they are slightly more costly) however over the past 30 years, I have realized just how much easier and more beautiful salt water tanks are.

Answer 4

Marine all the way.
I have had many different freshwater fish in the past 30 years but nothing even comes close to the saltwater fish i've had over the past 20 years.
WAY more personality, WAY nicer colours, and I have not lost 1 to disease or water quality.(a couple of jumpers and a couple sucked into a powerhead)
Also there are WAY more animals that you can add to the aquarium to make viewing WAY more interesting.
More types of crabs, more types of snails, more types of shrimp, Corals, Anemones, worms, bugs, Coraline algae,The list just keeps going and going...
I find that taking care of saltwater aquariums now (not 20 years ago) is easier than freshwater.
When I had freshwater tanks in my livingroom, Friends would come over to visit and say "wow, look at all the fish"
Now they come over and I can't get them away from the REEF tank,(Awsome, Beautiful, Gorgious, Cool, Can you set me up with one...)
Saltwater All The Way.
PS.
I still have a Betta in the bathroom.LOL
PSS
laurann0514, DO SOME RESEARCH, Most of the fish, Corals, Rock, Inverts and so on are now being cultured in tanks or Pens in the ocean so we don't have to go anywhere near a reef to disturb it like divers, Boaters, Fishermen...

Answer 5

Fresh water IS worth it, depending entirely on the fish you get. Mollies, guppies, etc aren't interesting fish. They're pretty, but if you want something that is interesting you should go for more "aggressive" fresh water fish, my tank has some sharks, clown loaches, one gourami, a few tinfoil barbs and an African black knife.

I LOVE this tank, the tinfoils are extremely active and LOVE eating minnows, which they get every couple of weeks as treat. All of the fish are extremely active and fun to watch... And they DO all have their own personalities.
But, they aren't NEARLY as pretty as some salt water fish.


Then again, I don't have the type of money to invest into a salt water tank... Especially considering how delicate they can be and the fact that I haven't ever seen a salt water fish I like for under 30$, plus they aren't guaranteed by any store you can buy them at.. So that doesn't seem worth it to me when I get plenty of enjoyment out of my freshwater fish, and I don't have to shell out upwards of 2000$ just to make sure they have absolutely everything they need.

Freshwater can be just as rewarding, you just have to pick the right fish. Some people are content just watching their fish eat, and some aren't. There are lot of options for freshwater.

Answer 6

i personally like fresh water.... they are easier to manage and definitely a lot cheaper to manage as well..... yeah, the marines can have prettier fish and unique creatures... but its so expensive to maintain.... and you have to keep the environment stable or risk losing all those pretty fish and creatures... i guess if you dont really mind spending the money or time a marine would be good....for people on a budget or just dont have the time of day to care for a tank... definitely fresh....