Why are YOU in the hobby? Why are fish hypnotic?

[HappyGuppy]

I had a nice conversation with another dedicated hobbyist earlier today, and listening to him talk I could tell that he is very passionate about his fish.  I used to be "insane" too,  but he, as with many others I've met over the past few years, blows a lot of money into lovely tanks.  At this point I've come back down to just a few tanks (getting back into hobby after disaster last year) but am already feeling the urge of MTS setting in (don't tell my wife).  I've also been mentally evaluating what my objectives are this time around in the hobby.

While thinking about things, I remembered years ago thinking that fish keeping was a stupid hobby, but obviously years later I'm in it.

Many many many a time I have sat down for a long time just staring into my tanks.  Wouldn't watching TV be more interesting?  You'd think so.  While hypnotically gazing into my takes I recall my previous assertion that this is a "stupid hobby", and yet there I sit, entranced by the fish.  Honestly I don't understand why I do (and I've wondered about it it in the past).

So here I pose questions to fellow fish enthusiasts.  Perhaps your answers will provide some insights into why I do this, and why all of us do this.

Why are YOU in the hobby?

What is it about aquariums that you find appealing?

Do you ever sit in front of a tank for more than a few minutes?

What are your speculations about why this hobby is appealing to some people in general?

[Nerine]

I love water! Grew up on the ocean, love the sound of crashing waves and seeing fish!!! The tanks are my mini ocean since I'm so far inland!
And yes quite often I can be found just staring at them, I often wonder what they are thinking ... I love how fish move thru the water

[Salt Disney]

It sounds strange, but i like the plumbing.  I love the simplicity of a syphon.  I love having to engineer plastic solutions in order to make everything work better.  I love tweeking stuff.

I don't really care for the biological aspect.  I have absolutely no drive to keep the most delicate, difficult species.  I like hardy livestock because, to everyone else that views my tank, anything I keep is way cooler than the tank they don't have...

[ThomasLynn]

I've recently (about 1.5 years ago) got back into the hobby after killing goldfish as a child. I got back into it after a visit to a local pet store and seeing all the different types of fish. I had lost touch of the creativeness this hobby allows for. I originally had a tank in our living room but as my wife pointed out, my re-education in fish keeping was a distraction in the room. Since then I have put a tank in each of my boy's bedrooms. I use it to teach my 5 year old about the enviroment and life in general. I definately find myself lost looking into the tanks and LOVE watching the fish interact with each other. I'm looking forward to finishing my basement (hopefully this winter) where I plan on incorporating a pair of larger tanks into the floor plan!

[jon1985]

I originally got into the hobby because everyone I talked to said it was for the rich and highly technical.  I got into it to prove them wrong.  I am neither rich nor the sharpest pencil in the drawer.

Since getting into it and keep a nice tank I enjoy all the various corals and fish.  I often stare into my tank instead of watching tv.  Infact I spend alot of time looking into my tank at night with a red light just seeing the different forms of life in the tank that I didnt know I had.

I cant beleive the complexity of life that balances itself in our small glass boxes.

[Stussi613]

I am neither rich nor the sharpest pencil in the drawer.

You can't say that and then turn around and say something as profound as this...

I cant beleive the complexity of life that balances itself in our small glass boxes.

[jon1985]

sure I can I just did.

Just because I understand there is complicated life in the tank doesnt mean I understand it.

[smalltownfan]

Many many many a time I have sat down for a long time just staring into my tanks.  Wouldn't watching TV be more interesting? 

TV today? I could care less about 90% of the drivel that they call entertainment. Reality shows? Give me a break, I've got a real life, Thank You!

I just came upstairs after peering into the Nano for over 30 minutes, the Mrs and daughter #2 are watching Jersey Shore. I think I spent my time more productively.

Give me Waylon, Willie & the boys on the radio in the background and a tank to setup/clean/fix/tweak/watch, and I'm in heaven.

Unless the "DUKE" is on CT!

[HappyGuppy]

It takes a simple mind to marvel at the complexity contained with a few cubic feet.  (LOL, I'm only kidding... after all I'm guilty of the same

Interesting... I guess I'm not that weird after all.  Yesterday someone I met also claimed to spend hours watching his tanks rather than TV.  I've done that too.  And others here in this thread are saying the same.

I find it almost meditative, sitting in front of my tank.  My mind calms down.  I also think about things, while enjoying the view. 

I suppose for me it is also a connection with nature, especially now during the depths of winter.  Being a natural planted tank person it really is rich in nature, which changes daily (plants grow & animals move).  If I can't go for a walk in the forest, I can at least enjoy the mini forest in my box.

[Cbellehumeur]

I'm an active scuba diver (Great Barrier Reef in Aug!!!!) So i guess my tanks are the closes thing i have when i'm not diving.

For me it all started with the koi in my pond. My Dad got me interested in the pond thing when i was young. I went as far as to tattoo my fav koi on my foot!

I'm really surprised how attached to my fish i am.

[Darth]

there have been fish in my life for as long as I can remember my aunt had a fish tank guppies and swords (mind you it was not to the extent some of you have) just a reg fish tank with the common skeleton on the treasure chest. Then my brother got into the hobby, and I soon followed suit. I had fresh water fish all my life, and always wanted to go reef. I went salt and had no idea what I was doing, but as time went on I have learned and learned and learned and am still learning. If I would have known how much this hobby costs, I probably would not have started it LOL, but now I am addicted, my dining table sits next to the tank, so I sit here for hours and just watch the tank. It is something I love. It amazes me the ecco system that I have, and then I see others tanks, and look at mine and feel ashamed LOL. But I guess to answer the question I grew up with it, and didnt know any better I guess

[Blackstitch]

I'm in the hobby because of allergies that I had when I was younger. We couldn't have a dog or a cat, so my mom got me my first tank when i was like 6. Now almost 20 years later, I have three tanks all throughout the house and I take care of them all. Not to mention that the cat we have now loves to go after my Africans, but doesn't catch them, thank god.