HHHMMM...well, for me, it started with when I was a kid, and I would go down to my cousin's room and check out their aquarium(s). I learned recently he kept groupers. I vividly remember staring, fascinated. Lately, I've finally been able to pursue all my passions and interests like I really want to, and around half a year to a year ago, I thought all of a sudden "Say, I'd like a fish." That memory was in the back of my mind, I think, a dormant passion coming to the surface again.
I have a friend who's really into bettas and she suggested them as a beginner fish; then behold...poof!! One fell into my lap! A friends fish "Jesus Fish" lol I re-named his Zeus. He is a beautiful blue half moon, who I use as my avatar. I had to fix A LOT. She didn't care for the fish properly, just tossed him in...brace yourself...a 1600 ml MASON JAR!!! I was appalled. I I moved him almost immediately to a small bowl, than a bigger bowl not long after, as temporary homes, as I could not afford a tank at the time. I now have a 5.5 gallon tank for Zeus now. Now I have a red veil tail I've called Crimson Dynamo in a 2 gallon tank. I will move him to a 5.5 as well.
Funnily enough, I will probably be gifted another betta! If my brother doesn't want it, I will take it and put it in another 2 gallon tank.
These are all my beginning fish, and I hope to pursue my new passion further, with male swordtails as my next step. I also have an interest in zebra danios, neon tetras, guppies, puffer fish (later, as they require brackish water), and perhaps cherry barbs.