Long live the aquarium girls!

An aquarist for over forty years, I have seen the evolution of this little world.

When I was in middle school, I remember that only a few boys were interested in aquariums.
At the famous shop, it was the same, only boys or men were met.

 

Years of hindsight have allowed me to understand the disinterest of girls and women in this hobby.
Aquaristics was mainly oriented towards technology.
Hearing enthusiasts talk was a succession of numbers and technical characteristics.
From the power and flow of the filter to the volume of the aquarium, passing through the sacred parameters, it was a matter of who would do and know more than the neighbor!

It must be acknowledged that the well-being of the fish was a secondary concern, and that the success of breeding was more seen as a satisfying performance.

In short, the values in vogue in this environment were quite caricaturally "masculine."

 

But, for about twenty years now, women have taken their place and imposed a subtly different vision.
It is no coincidence that they quickly became more numerous among Betta enthusiasts. A single fish, to which one could become attached or give a name.

 

The animal has clearly gained, since its individuality and sensitivity have begun to arouse more interest.

 

The contest of who has the biggest filter has given way to the pleasure of having a beautiful, happy fish in a pleasant aquarium.

Natural aquaristics would probably have been much slower to establish without women. Often less attached to technique or performance as an end in itself, they more easily accepted the idea that the fish's pleasure ensured it a much better health than just respecting cold and analytical parameters.

 

I am convinced that fish and their cause have greatly benefited from aquaristics finally becoming more mixed with the arrival of women.

Those I meet at aquarium fairs generally have no lessons to receive on technical knowledge, but have a discourse that goes beyond.

It's the only advantage of age: being able to compare today and prehistory. And I find that today is much better.

 

An animal is not just a simple sequence of numbers!

Thanks then to the aquario-girls!