Aquarium Fish Since 1988 
Or earlier! (Did you know Aquaticdog opened as a Pet City back in the 70's?)

   Much has changed in the fishkeeping world in the 30+ years since Aquaticdog first opened its doors. Many fascinating new species have entered the scene, and many old favorites have emerged with new color morphs! We have dialed in the care for many species once deemed difficult, or impossible, to keep in captivity. And the equipment available to hobbyists these days is fantastic for the price! Just look at the rise of sponge filters and LED light bars.

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   Technology has infiltrated almost all aspects of pet animal keeping these days. For example, it's not uncommon to find pet fish and reptile keepers customizing their heat and lighting right from a smartphone! And even though we still run the classic "under gravel" style filters in many of our 80+ freshwater display tanks, many new styles of filtration have entered the market. Some even capable of removing nitrates. Many heaters now have an auto shutoff feature to avoid overheating. ​And does anyone remember those old metal framed tanks?? 

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   The balanced aquarium is a concept as old as aquarium keeping itself, the aquarium as its own self-contained ecosystem. (The em dash existed before AI calm down) It remains the main barrier to entry for new aquarium keepers. However, these days there is an understanding that good water quality is paramount. Test kits can now be found on the shelves in every store. And the nitrogen cycle is a concept that is introduced as soon as someone acquires their first aquarium. 

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   In line with the growing interest in giving our aquatic friends the best lives possible, the once popular goldfish bowls are a thing of the past. The rise in popularity of nano tanks has now turned into an art form where the hardscape and live plants are just as important as the livestock. These underwater gardens are usually populated by small, shoaling species or an array of tiny colorful shrimp. This reflects the growing interest in keeping our fish in spacious setups.

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   "Recent global events have impacted fish prices significantly and made buying healthy stock more of an investment to be protected. Looking back over the price of fish, it’s clear that they’ve been subject to the same inflationary pressures as bread, beer, and houses but remain excellent value when seen as live animals that have often traveled first class from far-flung locations." -link

   The rise of internet and social media means that we have a wealth of information at our fingertips. We can access habitat data, share successful husbandry tips with other keepers, or just share photographs of our underwater habitats. It can be a double-edged sword though, as sharing myth and misinformation is just as easy. With the rise of AI generated content, it can easily cause misleading information to be shared widely across the internet.

   Although it might sound the opposite of what you’d expect, in this case, it pays to take advice from a source that has a financial stake in your success as a fish keeper. Sure, the world of fishkeeping has changed, but with the rise of access to information and an increased focus on sustainability.. we believe the future of fishkeeping is bright.