There are millions of fish hobbyists across the country as attested to by the fact that fish are one of the best selling pets that people buy when they go to a pet shop.
In addition, a quick search of the Internet will reveal thousands of aquarium clubs that bring together members on a weekly or monthly basis to share together their love of fish.
Fish are endlessly fascinating.
Some species even mate for life and you'll get years of enjoyment watching them as they grow old, have children, and raise their families through the years.
Fish are good companions also.
Although you can't cuddle or pet them, you also don't have to take them out for walks.
Compared to other possible pets, such as cats and dogs, fish are relatively inexpensive.
Once you get past the initial expenses of buying the tank and the various tank accessories, such as filters, lights, and so on, you'll find that your major expenses are paid for.
No expensive trips to the vet, no taking your dog to the shelter when you have to leave town for a few days, and no replacing furniture that your dog or cat has chewed and ruined.
Fish are one of the most low maintenance, yet enjoyable, pets that you can have.
In fact, once you set up your tank, you'll spend most of your time not doing things for your pet that you have to, but doing things that you want to.
You'll find yourself selecting and evaluating various aquarium backgrounds, fussing over the perfect plants and stones to stock your tank with, and watching the daily tank soap operas unfold before your eyes.
Over the weeks, you'll find yourself slowly drawn into the secret underwater world of fish.
Fish are some of the hardiest of species.
According to scientists, they have been on this planet for at least 500 million years.
In contrast, mammals didn't arrive on the scene until at least 200 millions years later.
In that time fish have had to change and adapt to the circumstances of the moment - circumstance that have killed less hardy species.
This constant evolution has caused them to be one of the more diverse group of species around.
Having survived for so many centuries, it's ironic that with so many fish hobbyists around, that the biggest risk to their continued survival is, of course, man.
For most new fish hobbyists, learning to play with and enjoy fish, means being introduced to a whole new terminology and way of looking at the world.
As humans, most of us spend the vast majority of our time on land.
Sure there's the freak random surfer or Olympics bound swimmer who seem to spend the better part of their days in the water.
But even they're just visitors to the watery domain that the fish call home.
Learning about the habitat where one of the oldest species of animals lives, gives them a rare insight into how the ecosystem of the world works.