A community tank full of colourful fishes at an aquarium showroom in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 18: The water glistens when they swim, and while they play, a spectrum of colours is created in the ripples of the tank. You will be amazed at the dazzl ing hues of fishes inside an aquarium.

Keeping different types of fishes in beautifully decorated aquariums has emerged as the latest fad among the people in the twin cities.

One can find more and more varieties of fishes, unique looking aquariums and other accessories to decorate homes becoming easily available in the pet shops in the city nowadays.

An aquarium is an enclosed glass box in which water dwelling plants and animals such as fishes are kept. The ecosystem for the particular species of plants and animals is generated by collecting water, plants , rocks and other things for them to attain compatibility.

Unlike the huge public aquariums like those at the Regional Science Centre or Regional Museum of Natural History, the ones meant for homes and offices are relatively smaller and mostly use artificial accessories.

“Aquariums are of various types depending on the water temperature. Here people mostly go for tropical aquariums with either fresh water or sea water,” says Titu Patnaik, proprietor of Pet Paradise at Jayadev Vihar. He explained that temperate aquariums are mostly confused to be cold-water aquariums but they are not.

“The temperature in this kind of aquarium varies from 5 to 25 degrees which is difficult to maintain. But fresh water aquariums can be maintained more easily,” he says. Community tanks that have the facilities to include a number of fishes together are also popular Patnaik added.

Fresh water aquariums seem to be popular indeed among citizens here.

They are opting for fishes like gold fish, parrotfish, feather fish and bichirs, cichlids and so on.

“I love my pair of angel fish. They are so colourful and pretty! Watching them for few minutes eases my tension and I feel relaxed,” said Ruchika, an engineering student.

“I believe my feng shui fish has brought good luck and peace at home,” believes Pranab Das who also has a community tank.

“Even ten years back it was difficult to get so many varieties of fishes. But today we find swordtails, oscars, clowns and damsels easily at pet shops,” said Das who added that the community tank has serves as a wonderful decorative structure for his drawing room.

The reasons for the craze towards keeping aquariums are numerous. While many believe fishes bring good luck, especially the huge feng shui ones, others just love these marine animals.

Aquariums thus are proving to be the most unique accessory of home decor. “Customers mainly look for colourful fishes that we get from Mumbai or Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. They have different qualities that is bound to attract people to them like their glowing hues or their innocent moves,” says Patnaik.

Patnaik also said that some customers show interest in fishes for improving their health. Patients who suffer from hypertension and high blood pressure admire movements of fishes, which help in calming their mind.

The fishes such as mini tetras can be brought at just Rs 5. For gold fish, damselfish and other exotic species one may have shell out at least Rs 500 or over a thousand.

Aquariums too are available in different shapes and sizes. One can find small bowls to big tanks with artificial or even real plants.

Some are even accessorised with rocks, pebbles, stones, and other plastic equipment.

The range starts from Rs 600 for small ones to few thousands depending on the size. The accessories like pebbles and stones start at Rs 50 per kg.