Who Owns Aquariums in 2025? A Look at U.S. Fishkeeping Demographics

Aquarium ownership has always appealed to a unique kind of pet lover — but who are the fishkeepers of 2025? New data reveals fascinating patterns about age, income, location, and lifestyle among aquarium owners. Here’s what’s trending beneath the surface.

1. Aquariums as a Family-Friendly Pet

It’s more than décor — for many households, aquariums are a shared experience.

• 58% of pet fish owners live with children under 18, compared to just 39% of U.S. households in general.
• Many parents say aquariums help teach responsibility and provide a calming presence for kids.
• Fishkeeping is often chosen over cats or dogs for families with allergies or space constraints.

In short: Aquariums aren’t just a hobby — they’re a hands-on educational tool for the whole family.

2. Younger Generations Lead the Hobby

While Baby Boomers once dominated pet ownership, the tide has turned:

• Only 20% of fishkeepers today are Boomers.
• That means nearly 80% are Millennials, Gen Z, or Gen X — with Millennials leading the charge.
• By 2020, Millennials became the largest generation of pet owners overall, and their interest in aquariums continues to rise.

Fishkeeping fits their lifestyle — digital, design-conscious, and often apartment-based.

3. Urban, Affluent, and Stylish

Aquariums may be low maintenance, but they’re not low style:

• Fish owners are 25% more likely to earn $150k+ annually.
• Around 8% of all U.S. households making $150k+ include pet fish.
• High-income professionals and urban dwellers gravitate toward aquariums because they provide calm in compact spaces — from Manhattan lofts to L.A. townhouses.

And unlike other pets, tanks pair well with minimalist interiors and busy lives.

4. Fish Are Part of the Multi-Pet Household

Fishkeeping doesn’t mean you’re only a fish person:

• About 13.5% of pet-owning households have fish — and most of them have other pets too.
• It’s common to see tanks in homes that also have a dog or cat, making fish part of a larger, multi-species family.

From Golden Retrievers to Rasboras, America’s pet owners are building micro-ecosystems inside their homes.

🐟 Key Takeaway

Aquarium ownership is thriving in modern, family-oriented, design-conscious households. It’s no longer a niche hobby — it’s an immersive, aesthetic, and educational part of the modern home.