The impact of the energy crisis on the aquatic world

After 2 very strong years due to the pandemic, during which many people installed an aquarium or terrarium at home, the rising price of electricity combined with inflationary pressure is having a significant impact on purchasing behavior. This was clearly reflected in declining sales figures for large aquariums and terrariums from March 2022 onwards. In addition, prices rose throughout the year across almost all manufacturers, suppliers and vendors.

Energy-saving options

Although the high energy costs are having a very big impact on the sector, there is also a chance to turn these apparent headwinds into opportunities. In the freshwater sector, for example, sales of so-called ‘low-energy’ aquariums are very strong at the moment. The electricity cost for such aquariums, based on a capacity of 200-400 liters, can be as little as €10 to €15 per month. By carefully selecting fish species that thrive even without year-round heating, it is still possible to have a beautiful aquarium. In an extension of this trend, a growing number of energy-saving pumps and filters are appearing on the market.

Needless to say, the energy requirement plays an even greater role in marine aquaristics, in particular in the case of light-requiring corals. New technology is enabling increasingly powerful lighting and flow pumps that consume less power. The need to save energy is no doubt here to stay.

The less maintenance, the better

Open-planted aquariums or ‘paludariums’ are another new trend that is emerging in the freshwater aquatics segment. These contain a combination of classic houseplants, typically ferns and mosses, in addition to fish. Due to the symbiosis between fish and open planting, these installations are very low in maintenance.

Social media driving terrarium trends

Thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the trend of keeping insects such as praying mantises or beetles is experiencing a boom, especially among younger consumers. This represents an opportunity for the specialized trade to position itself.

Moss terrariums featuring various mosses and ferns are another trend. These small enclosed worlds are very low-maintenance yet visually very appealing. As an extra bonus, they can be sold by regular retailers such as interior design stores as they don’t contain animals.

Coral trends

When it comes to seawater aquariums, green algae such as Caulerpa and red algae are increasingly being used as an alternative to coral aquariums. This also makes it a little easier for beginners to become seawater aquarists, and it has the potential to become a real trend in the coming years. For those who want to stick with coral, soft corals are the best choice for beginners as they are easier to grow.

Breeding market

Marine aquarists are on the radar of animal welfare organizations, which have been pressurizing the industry to cease trading in wild-caught fish. In Europe, import regulations for wild catches and natural removals will become increasingly strict, especially from natural reefs.

Partly as a result of this, as well as due to the ongoing shift in consumer awareness, the size of the breeding market is increasing for both coral and marine fish. Many wholesalers are building large breeding facilities for saltwater fish. Nowadays, breeding stations are able to successfully propagate many species of fish that were previously considered unthinkable.

Moreover, consumers are willing to pay higher prices for farmed fish because these fish are usually much healthier and more stable than wild-caught fish. One good example is the yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), a saltwater fish that used to command a sales price of about €70 as a wild catch. Nowadays, consumers can pay between €200 to €300 per fish, depending on the size.