Exploring the Depths: Barrie Aquarium Offers Something for Everyone, Big or Small

Aquariums have come a long way from the days of keeping goldfish in a bowl or displaying a shark as a novelty pet. Today, aquatic pet owners are encouraged to create healthy environments for their aquarium pets that promote longevity and healthy living. Mark Smits, the store manager at Big Al’s Aquarium Supercentres in Barrie, notes that many people are looking for something simple when they come into the store. The most popular choice right now is the desktop aquarium, ranging from three to 10 gallons, which is easy to accommodate in any home.

Walking through the aisles of Big Al’s, visitors are greeted with magically lit aquariums filled with freshwater and saltwater fish swimming among live and artificial plants, as well as decorative elements. This attraction has long been a favorite for young families looking to explore the underwater world. Smits welcomes a free-zoo approach at Big Al’s, hosting group tours and presentations to provide tips on keeping fish happy and healthy at home.

Gone are the days of bringing home a single goldfish in a plastic bag to live in a small bowl. Smits emphasizes the importance of providing the proper environment for fish to thrive, noting that with the right care, these fish can live 10 to 15 years or more. For goldfish, a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended, with larger tanks needed for multiple fish. While Big Al’s doesn’t carry turtles, they are available, but generally require more substantial equipment for their care.

Popular fish varieties at Big Al’s include the colorful betta or Siamese fighting fish, glow fish, and friendly community fish like guppies. As pet owners gain more experience, they may consider upgrading to larger aquariums and adding plants, structures, and more exotic fish like discus fish or axolotls. Aqua-scaping, the art of creating natural underwater environments, allows fish to exhibit their natural behaviors and adds a unique aesthetic to the aquarium.

In addition to freshwater options, Big Al’s also offers saltwater fish and live coral for saltwater aquariums. Invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, and snails are popular additions to reef aquariums, along with coral. Smits highlights the intelligence of fish like wrasse and the popularity of clown fish and dog-face puffers in saltwater tanks. While piranhas may be a favorite for some, Smits notes that they are skittish and may not feed when people are watching.

For anyone interested in starting an aquarium, Smits recommends doing research and visiting a store like Big Al’s to learn more about keeping fish and deciding what to include in their collection. With a wide range of options available, from desktop aquariums to large aqua-scaping setups, there is something for every aquatic pet enthusiast at Big Al’s Aquarium Supercentres.