The Fascinating World of Soviet Union Aquariums: A Peek into a Unique Hobby

History Cold War History

Discover the intriguing world of aquariums in the Soviet Union, where the lack of a native word for 'aquarium' led to unique practices and experiences. From predicting the weather with fish behavior to crowded pet bazaars, this hobby had its own set of quirks and challenges.

Soviet Union Aquarium Culture

🐠Aquariums were a popular hobby in the Soviet Union, with many people owning them.

🐟The native Russian word for 'aquarium' did not exist, so they simply used the English word.

🌿The word for fish in Russian is 'riba'.

🌦️Fish could be kept in containers to predict the weather based on their behavior.

🛁Carp was the only live fish available for purchase in the Soviet Union, leading to unique ways of keeping them.

Challenges and Unique Experiences

🛒Pet bazaars were extremely crowded on weekends and were the only time people could gather together.

📷The speaker regrets not having any photos of their fish tank or the pet bazaars, highlighting the rarity of documentation.

🏢Fish tanks were only found in private apartments or homes, not in offices like doctor's offices, illustrating the unique cultural norms.

🛠️The speaker had to purchase various equipment like an air pump, filter, and special lights for their fish tank.

🌱The speaker preferred real plants in their fish tank and got offended when offered fake plants, showcasing their dedication to the hobby.

FAQ

Were aquariums popular in villages in the Soviet Union?

In the Soviet Union, aquariums were not popular in villages and were mainly found in cities.

What kind of fish were available for purchase in the Soviet Union?

Carp was the only live fish available for purchase in the Soviet Union.

Where were fish tanks typically found in the Soviet Union?

Fish tanks were only found in private apartments or homes, not in offices like doctor's offices.

What equipment did the speaker need for their fish tank?

The speaker had to purchase various equipment like an air pump, filter, and special lights for their fish tank.

Did the speaker continue their hobby after moving to America?

After moving to America, the speaker started helping their father-in-law with moving and received a free giant fish.

Summary with Timestamps

🐠 0:00The video discusses the hobby of owning aquariums in the Soviet Union.

🐟 3:35The speaker talks about keeping fish in a container and using their behavior to predict the weather.

🐟 7:23The speaker reminisces about the crowded and lively pet bazaars in the Soviet Union where people could buy and sell fish and fresh food for animals.

🐠 10:32The speaker talks about their experience with fish tanks and breeding fish.

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