Health Benefits of Aquarium Fish
Do you have a stressful life, high blood pressure, insomnia? Keeping an aquarium may be good therapy for you. Studies going back as far as the late 80’s have shown that gazing at aquarium fish reduces stress and subsequently lowers blood pressure.

Fish Make a Difference
Researchers have compared the effects of hypnosis vs. an aquarium, fishless vs. fish filled aquariums, and no aquarium vs. having an aquarium. In all cases, having some sort of aquarium reduced blood pressure. Interestingly enough, greater reduction in blood pressure occurred when there were fish in the tank, vs pleasingly decorated, but fishless, tanks. Even watching a video tape of fish has been proven to have therapeutic effects.

Multitude of Benefits
Seniors who were provided with an aquarium filled with fish had significant blood pressure reduction.
Watching fish has been shown to calm children who suffer from hyperactivity disorder. Dental patients who were subjected to hypnosis vs. an aquarium experienced the same or greater benefit from the aquarium. Other studies have shown that dental patients required less pain medication after having watched fish in the office. It's little wonder that physician offices, dental clinics, and even waiting rooms for counselors have traditionally kept an aquarium in the waiting room.

Aquarium Effect on Alzheimer’s
Studies have shown that seniors who have Alzheimer’s experience a variety of health benefits from watching an aquarium. Alzheimer patients ate more, and required fewer supplements after an aquarium was placed in the dining room. They also exhibited less physically aggressive behaviors.

Fish Fish Anywhere
Virtually any aquarium, from large to small, will have a benefit. A large aquarium is great, but if space is limited, a mini-aquarium will do. Seniors and students can usually find a place for an Eclipse style system. If it’s not possible to keep an aquarium, consider a video or DVD of aquarium fish. DVD players have reached rock bottom prices, and a video requires zero maintenance. Remember that many computers have DVD players these days. What better way to spend your lunch break than gazing at fish? Take advantage of the stress-relieving benefits of aquarium fish whenever, and wherever you can!

It has been known for many years that animals can have positive effects on the health of humans. Studies have shown that animals can increase longevity after heart attacks, lower cholesterol, and even predict seizures in people.

In an unusual study, the effect of aquariums on the nutritional intake of patients with Alzheimer's disease was examined. Those conducting the research found that after introducing aquariums into the dining room of a facility caring for 62 patients, there was a significant increase in the amount of food the patients consumed. Weight also increased significantly over a 16-week period. As a result of eating more, the patients required less nutritional supplementation, which also had the benefit of reducing health care costs. In addition to the nutritional benefits, there was also a significant decrease in physically aggressive behaviors among the patients.

Other studies have found that people who watch fish in aquariums have a notable decrease in blood pressure. There was also a trend for aquarium watchers to have a decreased pulse rate and decreased muscle tension. In yet another study, watching fish in an aquarium was found to be as effective as hypnosis in reducing anxiety in patients awaiting dental surgery.

These studies all show that in addition to both the learning and aesthetic benefits of aquariums, people who care for and watch fish can reap health benefits, as well.