From the ancient Sumerians, who built some of the world’s first fish ponds in 4500 B.C., to the Romans, who managed to keep seawater flowing into seaside enclosures, humans have been working to keep aquatic species alive on land for a long time. Many of these fish and other species were kept for food, but wonder played a part, too. During China’s Tang Dynasty (618–907) people started to breed colorful carp for ornamental purposes. By 1611, porcelain bowls containing the ancestors of today’s goldfish were traded from China to Europe…
