Aquarium science is a type of occupation associated with modeling an ecosystem in a closed artificial reservoir. Among the main areas in modern aquarium industry, decorative, scientific, commercial and other areas are distinguished.
Content
Aquarium History
The first mention of fish farming is related to Egypt and Assyria. In Egypt, several millennia ago, African tilapias began to be bred. The architects of Babylon , in the hanging gardens of Babylon created open decorative ponds with fish back in the 9th century BC. e. In the palaces for the same purpose stone bowls-pools were installed. Bred fish , domesticated animals brought man the laurels of the king of nature.
The beginning of aquarium research with a serious scientific approach to the cultivation of ornamental fish was laid in China during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In the Buddhist monasteries of that time, the first goldfish appeared, as a result of a genetic mutation, different from ordinary silver crucian carp ( Carassius gibelio ), with bright colors.
Scientific work on the study of hydrobiology with a description of fish species known at that time was carried out by Aristotle , Theophrastus and Lucius Apuleius .
In 1834, “a la Power” cells were created by the “mother of aquarium” Jeanne Vilpreau-Power , which later became aquariums [1] .
In 1841, an aquarium appeared in the modern sense of the word. The aquarium contained plants and aquarium fish . English scientist N. Ward (Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward) (1791-1868), known for the fact that in 1829 he began to grow plants in ( English Wardian case ) and so accidentally became one of the progenitors of a modern aquarium. Ward placed goldfish in a glass jar along with the plant Vallisneria ( Vallisneria L. 1753 ).
The development of aquarium in the modern sense of the word is associated with the activities of many enthusiasts in this matter. These include Georg Markgraf, Willem Piso, James Sowerby , I.M. Bechstein, N. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, and F. G. Goss (Philip Henry Gosse), E. A. Rossmesssler (Adolf Rossmessler), G. Eger (Gustav Jäger), Alfred Brema (Alfred Edmund Brehm), Pierre Carbonier (Pierre Carbonnier) and many others.
Aquarium History in Russia
Mention of overseas goldfish in Russia is already found in the evidence of the XV century - the time of the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily the Dark .
In 1862, during the creation of the Moscow Zoological Garden , the idea of creating a public “Aquarium” arose.
In 1864 , the Moscow Zoo (zoo) was officially organized by the Imperial Russian Society for the Acclimatization of Animals and Plants . A premises for the Marine Aquarium are being built on its territory, however, due to difficulties with the delivery of animals, the premises are not used for their intended purpose.
A.P. Bogdanova , L.P. Sabaneev , A.S. Meshchersky , V.S. Melnikov , N.F. Zolotnitsky , A.I. Hamburger and many other enthusiasts of this movement made a significant contribution to the development of aquariums in Russia.
In 1878 , the 2nd acclimatization exhibition opened in the Moscow Zoological Garden, which displayed numerous aquariums with goldfish, telescopes, silver crucians and gouras.
From 1900 to 1912 , amateur aquarium acquires the character of a mass hobby, and the cultivation of aquarium fish reaches almost industrial proportions. During these years, mass aquarium clubs were opened in Moscow, Kiev and St. Petersburg, aquarium magazines were published, and annual aquarium exhibitions were organized.
On December 6, 1904 , at the initiative of the Moscow circle of the ichthyology department of the Imperial Russian Society of Acclimatization and the public and with the support of patrons, a two-story Aquarium with a hydrobiological laboratory and a permanent exhibition of fish and plants was opened.
In 1905 , the circle of aquarium and terrarium lovers was transformed into the Moscow Society of Aquarium and Indoor Plant Lovers , which is still headed by N.F. Zolotnitsky.
In the 30s, aquariums and aquarium fish breeding groups opened in large cities. The first state fish breeder near Moscow is being created, which begins to supply the opening pet shops and bird markets of the country with fish and aquarium plants, medical and scientific institutions with axolotl, and also supply fish to schools and kindergartens. In the mid 30s. Permanent pavilions “Aquariums” are opening in zoos in Moscow and Leningrad.
Aquariums as a hobby
Aquarium science is a very ancient, widespread and versatile hobby . In a number of countries this hobby is called “fishkeeping” and this is a very extensive field of activity.
Aquariumism has many directions: some aquarists are more passionate about fish, others are fans of reptile or invertebrate breeding, including corals, and others are aquarium gardening, in this aquarium there are only plants or corals and there are no fish. Sometimes, simultaneously with the aquarium, aquarists start a terrarium , which contains, for example, amphibians . One of the important components in an aquarium with plants is the aquarium soil , as well as additives for fish, plants and soil. It should be noted and freshwater snails, which are very popular among aquarists, snails are not only able to clean the walls of the aquarium from overgrown algae , but also are its decoration.
Aquarists are trying to create a special world in their aquarium, using their knowledge and capabilities. The most crucial moment for a beginner amateur akariumist is the “launch” of the aquarium. Everything in aquarism is so closely interconnected that, moving in any one direction, studying any one problem, you always have to take into account a lot of diverse and assimilate a lot of related information. In addition to the basic rules: regular water changes while maintaining its parameters, using aquarium filters , maintaining cleanliness in the aquarium and feeding its inhabitants, aquarists face various problems: diseases of fish and plants, adaptation of organisms to aquarium conditions, and many others. This pushes aquarists to deeply study the problems and to the transition from simple amateur fish farming and aquarium plant growing to a professional scientific approach, backed up by scientific knowledge. Thus, after several years of aquarium studies, a person acquires skills and knowledge that would seem to be far from the goals that he had set for himself initially. But the main thing remains - enthusiasm for the aquarium.
In connection with the widespread use of computers, phenomena arise at the intersection of hobbies. A large collection of computer screensavers on the aquarium theme has appeared.
Aquarium science today is becoming more and more a science or is based on scientific knowledge and technology. Aquarium science is a knowledge-intensive hobby.
Aquarium and art
Since ancient times, a large number of works of art, one way or another, associated with aquarium. Among them, a special place is the theme of the Golden Fish. In 1800, the Swedish artist Karl Frederick von Breda (1759-1818) painted the painting “The Girl and the Goldfish”. This may indicate an earlier appearance of aquariums than 1841.
Aquarium Man
Man has been eternally ruled by great curiosity. Glance to where no one else has been - a great pleasure. And for a long time, a person began to plunge into the water element in order to feel involvement and see with his own eyes the marine inhabitants in their natural environment, in this sense it is worth mentioning the underwater bell , known since 1531. It is clear that the idea of an aquarium would never have crossed my mind if a person had not looked into the depths of the waters. Looking at the underwater world through the porthole of a sightseeing submarine, imbued with the romance of Jules Verne , who published in 1869 his famous book "20 thousand leagues under the sea," we ourselves find ourselves in a kind of aquarium on the contrary. If we continue the Aquarium-Terrarium chain, the submarine can be called the “ Ararium ”, which, together with its inhabitants, are examined by intelligent dolphins.
But there are enough reasons for a person to come close to the inhabitants of a conventional aquarium. For example, in aquariums, divers feed skates, moray eels, sea snakes, and even small sharks.
Aquarium Psychology
Aquarium science will allow people to realize their deepest desires: to feel like the creator of their own special world, to act in this world as the arbiter of fate. A home aquarium is also able to create a unique harmony of the inner world and bring peace and tranquility to the house. According to psychologists, the presence of aquarium fish in the house has a beneficial effect on the general state of the human psyche and relieves stress. It is enough to sit no more than half an hour in front of a beautifully designed aquarium to calm down internal passions, feelings, aggression, nervous tension. Those who suffer from insomnia are recommended to install an aquarium in the bedroom. The measured swimming of the fish and the swaying of the plants are calming and help to fall asleep. Aquariums not only help relieve stress, but also are a source of positive emotions, they also help to create a calm atmosphere necessary for work. Child psychologists recommend placing an aquarium in the room of an active, noisy or anxious child and having fish in it.
Scientific Aquarium
Among amateur aquarists there are representatives of various specialties, each of which contributes something special to the development of scientific aquarium science. Hundreds of species of fish, plants, invertebrates and other hydrobionts pass through the hands of aquarists. Of great importance are all the studies of aquarists. Among them: studies related to the feeding of fish and the creation of various types of food, the study of various fish diseases and elucidation of methods to combat them, studies related to the breeding of new species and genetic studies, the study of the causes of changes in the sex ratio in offspring of fish.
This knowledge is used not only in aquarium and industrial fish farming, but also provides an opportunity for biophysical and embryological studies, and is used in veterinary medicine and medicine.
Aquarists, through their research and development, are contributing to the International Program for the Conservation of Rare and Endangered Species. So the home population of some species is superior to the natural population. And in the aquariums and large aquariums of the world, tremendous work is being done to conserve the genetic material.
But there is literally scientific aquarium science. The laboratory of ichthyology, as a branch of the Zoological Museum, existed almost from the beginning of its foundation. And in the laboratory of fish orientation problems at the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Evolutionary Morphology and Animal Ecology, aquarium scientist Vladimir V. Protasov, doctor of biological sciences and other scientists are studying various aspects of fish life. There are similar laboratories in many countries.
Breeding and Genetics
In connection with the rapid development of genetics , the selection of aquarium inhabitants has gained new opportunities. Among experienced aquarists, there are no ones who would not select among their pets.
Two forms of selection can be distinguished: rejection from the main form presented to fish of a given species, as well as breeding of new decorative forms that differ in new properties.
The culling of individuals evading the desired breeding type should be tight. The selection results in: hybrids - the final products of crossbreeding, at least of different species, or a cross - the result of mixing the breeds.
In practice, the following forms of crossing are used:
- industrial (mass) - provides the growth of diversity.
- synthetic crossing - allows you to combine the desired characteristics of the original breeds.
- introductory crossbreeding - ensures the improvement of the breed by reinforcing it on a new improving genetic material.
- absorbing - after the initial crossing of two breeds, the crosses are combined with individuals of the improving breed.
- alternative crossbreeding - alternating mating of crossbreeds after the first crossbreeding with individuals of two source breeds.
Aquariums and Aquariums
Aquariums are institutions that contain representatives of the aquatic fauna, primarily aquarium fish , and aquatic flora for the purpose of studying and demonstrating them, as well as as a bank of genetic material for endangered species. Aquariums with sea water are often called marine ( English Marine aquarium ).
Oceanariums are large aquariums containing aquatic organisms that live in sea water. For better viewing and the effect of presence in the aquariums, transparent tunnels are laid, this allows visitors to be "inside" the ocean, surrounded by water and marine life. In the St. Petersburg Aquarium, a 35-meter transparent water tunnel is equipped with a moving path.
Abroad, the term “Public aquarium” is often used instead of the French term “Oceanarium”.
In large cities of Russia, oceanariums and public aquariums open everywhere, but the size of the existing ones is still insufficient to successfully compete in scale with the largest in the world.
Commercial aquarium
At the beginning of the twentieth century, tropical fish gained incredible popularity first in France and Germany, and then throughout the world. With increasing popularity, commercial interest in the cultivation and sale of exotic fish has also grown. Passion for fish has created a worldwide industry, which is not only engaged in the supply of fish, the production of related products, but also the development of the aquarium business, based on the opening of fish farms . Nowadays, fish farms are scattered around the world, here they are artificially bred for sale and selection of fish. Moreover, the number of fish in fish farms significantly exceeds the number of fish caught. At the same time, the countries of South America, Africa and Southeast Asia sell mainly fish caught in natural conditions. Wild animals supplied to fish farms help to breed new fish species and heal genetic material depleted by closely related crosses.
Fishing
Fishing for aquarium needs is mainly the activity of coastal residents who do not always understand the value of fish caught. In order not to damage live goods, they are mainly caught in nets, net and fish traps, they use diving equipment, and they catch fish caught to the surface in a specially designed decompression chamber, but sometimes they also use chemicals. Caught fish is delivered to peculiar fish receivers, here the fish is sorted and collected in large batches, and then it arrives at large points located in close proximity to international airports to undergo initial quarantine before being sent to the customer countries.
In order to regulate capture and prevent species from extinction, fishery countries require direct capture firms to obtain special permits and licenses for catching and exporting fish.
Poaching
Fish poaching is illegal fishing, that is, fishing in prohibited places at a forbidden time by prohibited methods of prohibited species and in a prohibited quantity. The greatest threat is industrial poaching. In addition to industrial (exceeding fishing quotas, fishing in prohibited places, etc.), there is also household poaching. The main problem is predatory, mass fishing. Widely using nets, electric fishing rods, explosives and other prohibited fishing gear, poachers deplete the biological resources of the seas, rivers and lakes. In addition, ponds are littered with scraps of nets in which fish are constantly entangled and killed. The unfavorable ecological situation in the industrially developed regions of Russia also contributes to a decrease in the fish population.
Ecosystem Impact
We can talk about two mutually exclusive trends in the impact of aquarium development on ecosystems :
- The development of modern aquarium techniques contributes to the destruction of ecosystems.
- The development of aquariums encourages the conservation and wise use of biological resources.
Aquarium fish farming
Aquarium fish farming is an integral part of the zoo culture, which is developing rational methods for keeping and breeding fish. Industrial aquarium farming and its most promising area of aquaculture are based on aquarium technologies. In addition to industrial fish farming, as part of the food industry, there is a decorative one, the subject of which is aquarium fish.
The development of modern biotechnology has led to the use of intensive methods for breeding valuable commercial and exotic fish. Among them:
- hormone therapy - artificial stimulation of the maturation of manufacturers with hormonal drugs.
- mass method of incubation of fertilized eggs in special devices.
- growing juveniles and growing adult fish in special designs of various containers with a closed system of water regeneration.
- accelerated methods for obtaining mature reproductive products from fish that do not ripen naturally.
Aquarium Crops
Aquarium plant growing has been developing in parallel with fish farming since the advent of glass aquariums, but plants have played a supporting role in the design of aquariums.
In recent years, many aquarists have appeared, for whom the main hobby has been the cultivation of aquarium plants and the cultivation of "underwater gardens." Such aquarists set themselves various goals: landscaping the aquarium and indoor interiors, collecting aquarium plants, researching green culture and breeding plants for sale.
Regardless of the purpose, for the maintenance of such aquariums the following requirements must be met: plants should not interfere with each other and should easily get along together; conditions of light, hardness and acidity of the water should be suitable for these plants; soil should not impede the circulation of water; no less than six months, it is necessary to thin out the plants; plants must be fertilized by feeding mineral supplements.
A huge number of aquarium plants are known, which are replenished with new rare specimens; new hybrid aquarium-adapted forms are being introduced.
Aquarium crop production today is an integral part of aquarium research and a necessary component for creating a simulation of aquatic systems in artificial reservoirs-aquariums.
Other aquarium inhabitants
- Invertebrates
- Reptiles
- Amphibian
- Dolphins
Other types of aquariums
Dolphinarium
Aquarium Design
For whatever purpose people do not keep an aquarium at home, one way or another they have to solve aesthetic problems, that is, engage in aqua design. Aquaddesign ( English design ) - the artistic design of aquariums and their subject environment.
The design of the aquarium includes:
- Exterior design - allows you to harmoniously fit the aquarium into the interior of the room, taking into account the peculiarities of the building structures.
- Internal design - the design of the subject environment of the aquarium. Aquarium decorations can significantly decorate the aquarium, but the main component of internal design is a thriving biosystem in the context of biodesign .
Aquascaping
Aquascape - water landscape (by analogy with the English landscape - landscape, landscape).
Aquascaping ( English aquascaping ) is the art of decorating aquariums, in which the aquarium itself becomes a living picture. The main thing in such an aquarium is aesthetic perception. Growth and distribution throughout the aquarium is limited by the strict vision of the artist of his picture.
One of the main styles of aquascaping is the style - Natural Aquarium ( Eng. Nature Aquarium ). The creator of this style in aquarium art is the Japanese photographer and aqua designer Takashi Amano . The basis of a new trend in aquarium (Natural Aquarium) is the principle of building Japanese stone gardens.
Exhibitions, competitions, congresses
Since the 60s of the XX century, both in our country and in the world, various congresses, congresses, and exhibitions have been held:
Europe’s largest pet trade fair, INTERZOO, is held every two years in Nuremberg (Germany).
Since 1995, since the Aquarama-95 exhibition held in Singapore, discus exhibitions have been held in six categories, which include wild forms and breeding individuals. The main theme of this exhibition is precisely aquarium science. In the future, this exhibition is held every two years.
Since 1996, China annually hosts an international exhibition of pet products dedicated to CIPS. This exhibition is one of the largest exhibitions in Asia, which presents the products of manufacturers and sellers of aquarium products.
In 1996, on October 3, in the German city of Duisburg, the first discus world championship in the history of aquariums is held. This championship championship was the first in the history of Russian aquariums in which our discus drivers took part. The SKAT company presented the discus bred and raised in its own fish hatchery.
XXI Century
Since 2001 , the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) organized by Aqua Design Amano Co, an annual aquatic design company, has been held in Japan since 2001 . The competition was organized as the first global aquarium design competition.
In 2002 , from November 13 to 16, the 11th International Specialized Exhibition of Products and Services for Animals “Zoosphere 2002”, dedicated to the day of the aquarist, was held in St. Petersburg. The exhibition presented products for aquarium fish farming and crop production. On June 7, Moscow hosted the “Presentation Workshop” on aqua design, where Takashi Amano presented the products of his company, which is the forefront in the field of aquarium aqua design.
In 2003 , from November 19 to 22, the 12th International Specialized Exhibition of Products and Services for Animals “Zoosphere 2003” was held in St. Petersburg.
Since 2004 , Aqua Logo and the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) have been holding international scientific and practical conferences on aquarium studies. January 31 this year The 1st conference devoted to the problems of marine aquariums in the CIS was held. In the same year, from November 10 to 13, the 13th International Specialized Exhibition of Products and Services for Animals “Zoosphere 2004” was held in St. Petersburg. The exhibition was held in support of the initiative "For a humane aquarium."
On February 5, 2005 , the 2nd scientific and practical international conference “Aquarium as a means of understanding the world” was held, at which the presentation of the book by the Belgian ichthyopathologist Dr. Gerald Basler was held. "A new illustrated determinant of freshwater fish diseases." On September 24-25 of the same year, the First International Aquarium Congress was held in St. Petersburg.
In 2006 , the team of the guppy lovers' club organized and held the first exhibition-contest in 20 years under the name “Guppy-2006". The rules and criteria for evaluating exhibition fish have been restored. Guppies brought from Germany were exhibited at this exhibition. On February 4-5, the same year, the 3rd international scientific-practical conference “Aquarium as a means of cognition of the world” was held in Moscow. The conference was held at the lecture hall of the State Darwin Museum. In the same year, the 2nd International Aquarium Congress was held in St. Petersburg.
On February 3-4, 2007 , the 4th international scientific-practical conference “Aquarium as a means of understanding the world” was held. More than 130 people in the conference hall of the Paleontological Museum (Moscow, Profsoyuznaya street, 123) in two days listened to 27 reports. In the same year, the 3rd International Aquarium Congress was held in St. Petersburg.
In 2008 , February 28 - March 2, Moscow hosted the International Specialized Exhibition "ZooRussia Professional-2008". In February of the same year, the Aquarama exhibition was held in Singapore, where, among other exhibits, new plants for aquariums were presented. On February 9-10, the 5th international scientific-practical conference was held in Moscow: "Aquarium as a means of understanding the world." The 3rd International Aquarium Congress was held in St. Petersburg. On November 19-22, as part of the international exhibition "Zoosphere 2008" in "Lenexpo", the Unitex company held an Aquarium Design Competition. In the same year in Hong Kong, the Aquascape contest was held.
The first international shrimp championship was held in 2009 , February 6-8, in Hanover, Germany; On February 14-15, the VI-th International Scientific and Practical Conference “AQUARIUM AS A MEANS FOR KNOWING THE WORLD” was held in Moscow at the State Darwin Museum. The organizers of the conference are the Aqua Logo group of companies and the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums. On March 27-29, 2009 in Moscow the Round Table - “Takashi Amano Natural Aquarium”. This year the company AQUA DESIGN AMANO CO., LTD. (ADA) plans to hold the next 9th "International Design Plant Aquarium Design Competition MKDRA (" The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest "(IAPLC)).
Publications
Scientific and Popular Magazines
- In Soviet times, the last few pages were devoted to aquariums in the journal Fish and Fisheries .
- The magazine "Aquarium" .
Electronic Media
Since March 2008, the Homo Aquarius Teleproject has begun to appear on Chelyabinsk TV every week .
Notes
- ↑ Tiré de Mollusca (Londres, 1858).
Links
Literature
- Zolotnitsky N. F. "Aquarium of the amateur", 1885
- Ilyin M.N. Aquarium fish farming. - Moscow: Publishing House of Moscow University, 1977. - 399 p.
- Kochetov A. M. Exotic fish. - Moscow: Forestry, 1988.
- Makhlin M.D. An entertaining aquarium. - Moscow: Food Industry, 1975.
- Makhlin M.D. Travel around the aquarium. - Moscow: Kolos, 1993.
- Bailey M., Bergress P. The Golden Book of the Aquarist .
- Fisheries and Fisheries 1979/5, Topic: history, N. Myagkov, “Moscow in the history of Russian aquariums”
- «Aqua Animals» 2005/1 Article: Aquarium in Brazil Heading: Traveling Author: Andrey Churilov