Aquarium

For a partial list of public aquaria worldwide, see list of aquaria. OOAK - "One of a kind." A doll that has been customized by an artist, usually by repainting and/or rerooting the hair. Top public aquaria are often affiliated with important oceanographic research institutions or conduct their own research programs, and usually (though not always) specialize in species and ecosystems that can be found in local waters. M/C - "Mint and complete." An outfit in perfect, just-out-of-the box condition with all pieces and accessories included. A moving walkway now transports visitors through, and groups of school children occasionally hold sleepovers there beneath the swimming sharks and rays. A/O - "All original." Indicates that a doll is exactly as it was when it was originally left the factory, with no restoration work having been done to it. The 110-meter tunnel was built from one-tonne slabs of German sheet plastic that were shaped locally in an oven. MIB - Stands for "Mint in Box." Indicates that a doll is in perfect, like-new condition, and is still housed in its original box, but the box has been opened and the doll may have been removed at some point.

In January 1985 Kelly Tarlton began construction of the first aquarium to include a large transparent acrylic tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand, a task that took 10 months and cost NZ$3 million. NRFB - Stands for "Never Removed From Box." Indicates that a doll is undisturbed in its original, un-opened packaging. In contrast, the recently opened Georgia Aquarium filled its tanks with fresh water from the city water system and salinated its salt water exhibits using the same commercial salt and mineral additives available to home aquarists. Modern - Dolls produced after 1972. An inland pioneer was Chicago's Shedd Aquarium that received seawater shipped by rail in special tank cars. Vintage - Dolls produced through 1972 are generally considered to be "vintage.". Most public aquaria are located close to the ocean, for a steady supply of natural seawater. Many variations of this original design have been used.

Following early examples of Detroit, New York and San Francisco, many major cities now have public aquaria. A waist with a rotational joint, originally introduced in 1967, copyrighted in 1966. Barnum quickly followed with the first American aquarium, opened on Broadway in New York. TNT - "Twist 'N Turn" Waist. P.T. Timeless Treasures™ - A Collector Edition line featuring celebrity and character dolls. The first public aquarium opened in London's Regent's Park in 1853. The major categories are denoted by numbers:.

In recent years, the large aquaria have been attempting to acquire and raise various species of open-ocean fish, and even jellyfish (or sea-jellies, cnidaria), a difficult task since these creatures have never before encountered solid surfaces like the walls of a tank, and do not have the instincts to turn aside from the walls instead of running into them. Early Barbie dolls are organized into five major groups based on various physical characterstics that can be used to determine when a particular doll was manufactured. Also as with zoos, aquaria usually have specialized research staff who study the habits and biology of their specimens. Dolls with this hairstyle are referred to by collectors as the "ponytail" dolls. A few have their own version of a "petting zoo"; for instance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has a shallow tank filled with common types of rays, and one can reach in to feel their leathery skins as they pass by. Ponytail - Barbie's first hairstyle consisted of a top-knot ponytail with tightly-curled bangs. A good aquarium will have special exhibits to entice repeat visitors, in addition to its permanent collection. Denotes a doll that is still dressed in the swimsuit it originally came in.

Operationally, a public aquarium is similar in many ways to a zoo or museum. OSS - Stands for "original swimsuit". Aquatic and semiaquatic animals, including otters and penguins, may also be kept by public aquaria. These dolls generally feature higher-quality materials and construction than non-limited dolls. gallons of water and can house large species, including dolphins, sharks or beluga whales. Limited Edition - Collector Edition dolls produced in limited quantities worldwide, which are often available only from specific retailers. The largest tanks hold millions of U.S. Customized - Dolls designed exclusively for specific retail stores are referred to as "customized".

Most public aquaria feature a number of smaller tanks, as well as one or more large tank greater in size than could be kept by any home aquarist. Collector Edition dolls usually come in showcase packaging, with a stand and a certificate of authenticity. Public aquaria are facilities open to the public for viewing of aquatic species in aquaria. Collector Edition - Dolls designed specifically for collectors aged 14 and over. In practice this is a very complicated and difficult task, and so most aquarists use rules of thumb combined with a trial and error approach to reach an appropriate level of biological loading. Though not feature length, they are fairly abundant in plot. To do so, the variables for waste production rate, nitrification efficiency, gas exchange rate at the water surface, and many others would need to be determined. In recent years, she has taken the computer animated movie industry by storm, guest appearing in Toy Story 2, and later her own direct-to-video movies, Barbie in the Nutcracker, Barbie as Rapunzel, Barbie of Swan Lake, Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Barbie:Fairytopia, and Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus, all of which were accompanied by small product lines, including dolls.

The true maximum or ideal biological loading of a system is very difficult to calculate, even on a theoretical level. By the late-1990s, Mattel had moved to featuring her in interactive 3D video games for both gaming consoles and personal computers. For goldfish and other high-waste fish, some aquarists recommend doubling the space allowance to one inch of fish per every two gallons. In the late 1980s, Barbie had two videos, Barbie and the Rockers and Barbie and the Sensations. This rule is usually applied to the expected mature size of the fish, in order to not stunt growth by overcrowding, which can be unhealthy for the fish. This new series showcased Barbie's adventurous exploits. gallons (about 7 mm per liter of water). In the mid-1990s, a new line of novels about Barbie appeared.

gallon" rule, which dictates that the sum in inches of the lengths of all fish kept in an aquarium (excluding tail length) should not exceed the capacity of the tank measured in U.S. Books about Barbie first emerged in the 1960s. Perhaps the most popular of these is the "one inch of fish per U.S. [9]. In order to prevent biological overloading of the system, aquarists have developed a number of rules of thumb. While the original Barbie sold for $3.00 in 1959, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on eBay in October 2004. Physically, only a limited size and number of plants and animals can be fit into an aquarium while still providing room for movement. Forty-five-percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year.

The capacity of nitrifying bacteria is limited by the physical space they have available to colonize. Ninety-percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than 20 Barbie dolls each year. The surface area of water exposed to air limits dissolved oxygen intake by the tank. Mattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. In addition, there are several fundamental constraints on biological loading based on the size of an aquarium. See also Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story. High biological loading in an aquarium represents a more complicated tank ecology, which in turn means that equilibrium is easier to perturb. A commercial by automobile company Nissan featured dolls similar to Barbie and Ken driving in a toy car was the subject of another lawsuit on September 18, 1997 [8].

Biological loading is a measure of the burden placed on the aquarium ecosystem by its living inhabitants. However, it was dismissed by the court as parody on May 15, 1998. Appropriate handling of the nitrogen cycle, along with supplying an adequately balanced food supply and considered biological loading, is usually enough to keep these other nutrient cycles in approximate equilibrium. Mattel used this as grounds for a trademark infringement and defamation lawsuit filed on September 11, 1997. Sulfur, iron, and micronutrients also cycle through the system, entering as food and exiting as waste. It contained lyrics such as "You can brush my hair/Undress me everywhere" and used graphics similar to the pink Barbie logo. The phosphate cycle is an important, although often overlooked, nutrient cycle. The European pop-dance group Aqua released a song called "Barbie Girl" in 1997.

Carbon dioxide escapes the system into the air. Many artists have referred to Barbie and her accompanying products, either as homage or as parody. Dissolved oxygen enters the system at the surface water-air interface or through the actions of an air pump. [7]. Nitrogen is not the only nutrient that cycles through an aquarium. She also ran for President after breaking up with Ken. Improperly cycled aquaria can quickly accumulate toxic concentrations of nitrogen waste and kill its inhabitants. These include astronaut, gymnast, rapper and soldier models.

According to anecdotal reports of aquarists specializing in planted tanks, the plants can consume nitrogenous waste so efficiently that the spikes in ammonia and nitrite levels normally seen in more traditional cycling methods are greatly reduced, if they are detectable at all. To counter accusations of gender stereotyping, career Barbies have been released. The silent cycle is basically nothing more than densely stocking the aquarium with fast-growing aquatic plants and relying on them to consume the nitrogen products rather than bacteria. As of 2005 there are also a "Kelly: Dolls of the World" where Barbies "little sister" and two friends represent different European countries. During this process, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are tested to monitor progress. In 2001 The Princess Collection" was issued for instance with dolls named Princess of India, Princess of the Navajo, Princess of the Vikings. Instead, small amounts of ammonia are added to the tank to feed the bacteria being cultured. The European countries are highly over-represented but there are also Peruvian, Kenyan, Chinese, Arctic, Japanese and Australian Barbies.

As the name of the former implies, no fish are kept in a tank undergoing a fishless cycle. The dolls are dressed in more or less traditional clothes, each representing a nation. Other cycling methods that have gained popularity in recent years are the fishless cycle and the silent cycle. Mattel also released an international collection, the Dolls Of The World, in 1980, with Barbies from different parts of the world. Aquarists use several different methods to jump start this process, including the use of water additives containing small populations of the bacteria, or "seeding" a new tank with a mature bacterial colony removed from another aquarium (such as can be found on gravel or biological filter media). Most commonly the Hispanic Teresa and African-American Christie appear as Barbie's "ethno-friend" alongside Skipper and occasionally red-head Midge, who has been around since the sixties. In a process called cycling, aquarists cultivate these bacteria as fish and other producers of nitrogen waste are gradually added to the tank over the course of several weeks. Still, these Barbies are exact replicas of the original Barbie, with no individualism other than skin, hair, and eye color.

New aquaria also do not usually have the required populations of bacteria for the handling of nitrogen waste. Barbies of different nationalities have also been created, including African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American Barbies. This problem is most often addressed through two filtration solutions: Activated carbon filters absorb nitrogen compounds and other toxins from the water, while biological filters provide a medium specially designed for colonization by the desired nitrifying bacteria. One of the most publicized responses happened around the turn of the century, as Barbie's waist widened to more natural proportions. Aquaria kept by hobbyists often do not have the requisite populations of bacteria needed to detoxify nitrogen waste from tank inhabitants. [6]. A balanced system, in which the fish eat the plants, is generally difficult to create. Dr Agnes Nairn said: "When we asked groups of junior school children about Barbie, the doll provoked rejection, hatred and violence." Dr Nairn went on to suggest that older girls rejected Barbie dolls because they were seen as an unwelcome reminder of their childhood.

This accumulation of nitrates in home aquaria requires the aquarium keeper to remove water that is high in nitrates or remove plants which have grown from the nitrates. In December 2005 research published by psychologists at Bath University in England suggested that girls often mutilate their Barbie dolls in a variety of ways, including decapitation and placing the doll in a microwave oven. Although informally called the nitrogen cycle by hobbyists, it is in fact only a portion of a true cycle: nitrogen must be added to the system (usually through food provided to the tank inhabitants), and nitrates accumulate in the water at the end of the process (or contribute to a growth in biomass via plant metabolism). [5]. However, this is only temporary, as the plants release nitrogen back into the water when older leaves die off and decompose. These dolls are not produced or endorsed by Mattel but are similar in appearance and are dressed in traditional Islamic costumes such as a full length dress and headscarf. When plants metabolize nitrogen compounds, they remove nitrogen from the water by using it to build biomass. Opposition to Barbie dolls in the Middle East has led to the sale of a Barbie-like doll called Fulla.

In addition to bacteria, aquatic plants also eliminate nitrogen waste by metabolizing ammonia and nitrate. This resulted in the new modified Barbie saying, "Eat lead, Cobra!" and "Dead men tell no lies." [4]. While biologically they could theoretically fill the same niche as Nitrospira, it has recently been found that Nitrobacter are not present in detectable levels in established aquaria, while Nitrospira are plentiful.) This process is known in the aquarium hobby as the nitrogen cycle. A group of parents, feminists and other activists known as the Barbie Liberation Organization bought hundreds of Barbies and GI Joe dolls, and switched their voice circuitry. (Nitrobacter bacteria were previously believed to fill this role, and continue to be found in commercially available products sold as kits to "jump start" the nitrogen cycle in an aquarium. One of these 270 phrases was "Math is tough!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it caused public outcry over Barbie's representation of women, and the infamous phrase quickly became a common pop culture reference. Another type of bacteria, genus Nitrospira, converts nitrite into nitrate, a less toxic substance to aquarium inhabitants. It spoke a number of phrases such as, "Will we ever have enough clothes?" "I love shopping!" and, "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so chances were good that no two dolls owned by a girl or her friends would be exactly the same.

Nitrite is also highly toxic to fish in high concentrations. This culminated in 1992 when Mattel released "Teen Talk Barbie", a talking version of the doll. Nitrifying bacteria capture ammonia from the water and metabolize it to produce nitrite. Her accessories reflect a lifestyle that is unobtainable for most of the girls who play with her. The nitrogen waste produced in a tank is metabolized in aquaria by a type of bacteria known as nitrifiers (genus Nitrosomonas). The enormous range of available accessories relating to clothes, hair, make-up, parties and looking pretty give rise to the accusation that Barbie encourages young girls to focus on shallow trivia. A well-balanced tank contains organisms that are able to metabolize the waste products of other aquarium residents. Barbie's defenders say that her exaggerated proportions are necessary for her to look natural when wearing clothing.

Nitrogen waste products become toxic to fish and other aquarium inhabitants at high concentrations. She would wear size 3 children's shoes, far too small to support her top-heavy frame with size-39 breasts. Ammonia is also produced through the decomposition of plant and animal matter, including fecal matter and other detritus. Barbie would be unable to stand on her feet. Fish, invertebrates, fungi, and some bacteria excrete nitrogen waste in the form of ammonia (which may convert to ammonium, depending on water chemistry) which must then pass through the nitrogen cycle. These rings crush the collar bone over time to give the appearance of an elongated neck. Of primary concern to the aquarist is management of the biological waste produced by an aquarium's inhabitants. Long necks are valued in many societies; for example, the Burmese sometimes practice neck enlongation body modification by using neck rings.

For this reason, hobbyists often favor larger tanks when possible, as they are more stable systems requiring less intensive attention to the maintenance of equilibrium. 1995 Nov;18(3):295-8) to match Barbie's proportions. gallon (400 L) tank with many other fish in it represents only a minor change in the balance of the tank. (Int J Eat Disord. gallon tank (11 L) causes dramatic changes in the system, while the death of that same fish in a 100 U.S. According to research the by Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, a healthy woman would have to have her neck elongated by 3.2 in. For example, the death of the only fish in a three U.S. [3].

Any event that perturbs the system pushes an aquarium away from equilibrium; the more water that is contained in a tank, the easier such a systemic shock is to absorb, as the effects of that event are diluted. According to research by the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, she would lack the requisite 17 to 22 percent of body fat required to menstruate. Approximate equilibrium is facilitated by large volumes of water. If scaled into real life proportions, she would be 5 feet, 9 inches, (1.75 m) measuring 36-18-33. Typically an aquarium keeper must take steps to maintain equilibrium in the small ecosystem contained in his aquarium. Barbie's height and exaggerated hourglass figure drew criticism from parents and anorexia nervosa groups. As an example, a balanced predator-prey relationship is nearly impossible to maintain in even the largest of aquaria. The first African-American Barbie, "Black Barbie," appeared thirteen years later.

In practice it is virtually impossible to maintain a perfect balance. The first of Barbie's black friends, "Colored Francie," debuted in 1967, but racial tensions quickly caused this doll to be discontinued. Ideal aquarium ecology reproduces the equilibrium found in nature in the closed system of an aquarium. See bimbo. Aquaculture can help in lessening the impacts on wild stocks, either by using raised cultivated organisms directly for sale or by releasing them to replenish wild stock (Tlusty 203), although such a practice is associated with several environmental risks. "Barbie" is sometimes used as a derogatory slang term for a person, particularly a girl or woman, who is stupid. Supporters of aquaculture programs for supply to the aquarium trade claim that well-planned programs can bring benefits to the environment as well as the society around it. In addition, Saudi authorities determined Barbie to be a Jewish doll, as her creator was of Jewish descent.

Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms in a controlled environment. The Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed the sale of Barbie dolls on September 10, 2003 for not conforming to the ideals of Islam. Breeding programs for freshwater species are comparatively more advanced than for saltwater species. The criticisms leveled at her are often based around the idea of children considering Barbie a role model and attempting to emulate her. Captive breeding programs of marine organisms for the aquarium trade have been urgently in development since the mid-1990s. Her popularity ensures that her effect on the play of Western children attracts a high degree of scrutiny. Captive breeding for the aquarium trade is now concentrated in South Florida, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, with smaller industries in Hawaii and Sri Lanka. Barbie is often looked upon as an icon of Western childhood.

Since the 'fighting fish' Betta splendens was first successfully bred in France in 1893, captive spawning techniques have been slowly discovered. Among them are Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Bob Mackie, Nicole Miller, Christian Dior, Escada, Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donatella Versace, Bill Blass and Paul Frank. Among American keepers of marine aquaria surveyed in 1997, two thirds said that they prefer to purchase farm raised coral instead of wild-collected coral, and over 80% think that only sustainably caught or captive bred fish should be allowed for trade.
Many designers have been given the opportunity to design clothing for Barbie. Therefore, there has been a concerted movement by many concerned aquarists to reduce the trade's dependence on wild-collected specimens through captive breeding programs and certification programs for wild-caught fish. Many groups say that young girls may set the doll as their model, leading to issues with body image and gender role insercurities later in life. Additionally, the destructive fishing techniques used have become a growing concern to environmentalists and hobbyists alike. However, recently Barbie's presence in in the life of an American girl has been said to be a negative influence.

These include the poisoning of coral reefs and non-target species, the depletion of rare species from their natural habitat, and the degradation of ecosystems from large scale removal of key species. Here are some of them:. More recently, the potentially detrimental environmental impact of fish and plant collecting has come to the attention of aquarists worldwide. She has taken up many occupations over the years. Fish can also be injured during the collection process itself, most notably during the process of using cyanide to stun reef fish to make them easier to collect. Barbie has often been used to promote gender equality as an example that women can "be anything". Many others are weakened by stress and become diseased upon arrival. According to a Mattel press release:.

The shipping process is very hazardous for the fish involved; mortality rates are high. On August 12, 2004, Barbie announced she was running for the presidency of the United States, as a member of the Party of Girls. Collecting expeditions can be lengthy and costly, and are not always successful. Mattel admits that much of the Ken narrative has been shaped by feedback from fans submitted to the Barbie website.[2]. The practice of collection in the wild for eventual display in aquaria has several disadvantages. His new look includes a more rugged jaw-line, softer mouth, and a more defined nose, with a wardrobe by celebrity stylist Phillip Broch which includes cargo pants, motorcycle jackets, and fitted suits with peak lapels. It remains an important source for many species that have not been successfully bred in captivity, and continues to introduce new species to enthusiastic aquarists. Since the break-up, he has traveled the world with stops in Europe and the Middle East, dabbled in Buddhism and learned to cook.

In many places of the world, impoverished local villagers collect specimens for the aquarium trade as their prime means of income. On February 8, 2006, almost two years after the break-up and co-inciding with the opening of the American International Toy Fair, Mattel announced Ken has resurfaced and has caught Barbie's interest again. Collection of fish, plants, and invertebrates from the wild for supply to the aquarium trade continues today at locations around the world. [1]. During the early twentieth century many species of small colorful tropical fish were caught and exported from Manaus Brazil, Bangkok Thailand, Siam, Jakarta Indonesia, the Dutch West Indies, Calcutta India, and other tropical ports. He is available in the "Cali Guy" range that accompanies the "Cali Girl" range of Barbie dolls that show Barbie with suntanned skin. Fish and plants for the first modern aquaria were gathered from the wild and transported (usually by ship) to European and American ports. For a time, Barbie's new beau was Blaine, a surfer from Sydney, Australia who has just moved to California.

Reef aquaria are widely considered the most difficult and demanding of the common hobbyist aquarium types, requiring the most expertise in addition to the most specialized equipment (and corresponding high cost). A Mattel press release ended saying "Although their future is yet to be set in "cement," one thing is for certain - Barbie and Ken will always remain the best of friends.". Techniques of maintaining sea anemones, some corals, live rock, mollusks, and crustacea, developed since the 1980s, have made the recreations of a reef ecosystem possible. And now they feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart.". These aquaria focus on the rich diversity of invertebrate life in these environments, and typically include only a limited number of small fish. "In fact, they just finished wrapping their fourth movie together, 'Barbie™ as The Princess and the Pauper,' which debuts this fall. These aquaria attempt to simulate the complex reef ecosystems found in warm, tropical oceans around the world. "Barbie and Ken have always been an extraordinary couple with so much on- and off-screen chemistry" said the pair's business manager, Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel.

In addition to the types above, a special category of saltwater aquaria is the reef aquarium. On February 12, 2004, just days before Valentine's, Mattel spokespeople announced the split of Barbie and Ken after 43 years of dating. This approach best simulates the experience of observing an aquarium's inhabitants in the wild, and also usually serves as the healthiest possible artificial environment for the tank's occupants.
. These ecotype aquaria might be considered the most sophisticated hobby aquaria; indeed, reputable public aquaria all use this approach in their exhibits whenever possible. She also has a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners, when not serving as a stewardess. Ecotype or ecotope aquaria attempt to simulate a specific ecosystem found in the natural world, bringing together fish, invertebrate species, and plants found in that ecosystem in a tank with water conditions and decorations designed to simulate their natural environment. Barbie has used her driver's license to the fullest, with pink convertibles, trailers and more.

Such tanks are common in fishrooms, where people keep many tanks at home. Barbie has thirty-eight recorded pets, including cats and dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. Some tanks of this sort are used simply to house adults for breeding. Barbie has been said to attend Willows High School in Willows, Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City (based on the real-life Stuyvesant High School). They can be simple as bare bottom with a few necessities or a complex planted aquarium. Other longstanding friends in Barbie's ethnically diverse social circle include Hispanic Teresa, African-American Christie and Steven (Christie's boyfriend), and the ethnically-ambiguous Kayla. These tanks are often used for killifish, livebearers, cichlids etc. Barbie has dated Ken since 1961, and after a long estrangement was reunited with her best friend Midge in the early nineties.

Species or specimen tanks usually only house one fish species, along with plants, perhaps found in the fishes' natural environment and decorations simulating a true ecosystem. Additions to the family tree include Skipper (debut 1964), twins Tutti and Todd (1966), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995), and baby Krissy (1999). In addition to the fish, invertebrates, plants, and decorations or "aquarium furniture" (all of which may or may not be natural neighbors of any of the fish) are typically added to these tank types. She has been given the fuller name Barbara Millicent Roberts, and a family and friends have been manufactured for her, starting with her beau Ken. In both of these tank types, the aquarium cohabitants may or may not originate from the same geographic region, but generally tolerate similar water conditions. Barbie's fictional biography has developed as her sales continued. Aggressive tanks, in contrast, house a limited number of species that can be aggressive toward other fish, or are able to withstand aggression well. Mattel has claimed that approximately three Barbie dolls are sold every second.

This is the most common type of hobby aquarium kept today. The Barbie doll is a $1.9 billion dollar a year industry. Community tanks house several species that are not aggressive toward each other. Mattel has adjusted Barbie's proportions in recent years as an answer to current fashion trends, but the present Barbie doll body is still uncharacteristic of most women. Perhaps the most popular of these is the division of aquaria into either a community or aggressive tank type. Mattel asserts that Barbie's exaggerated proportions are necessary to allow clothes to fit properly on such a small scale, but many have suggested that Barbie's unrealistic proportions may contribute to self-esteem and body image problems in young girls. Several theories on species selection circulate within the community of hobby aquarists. However, Barbie's exaggerated proportions have always been a point of contention for her detractors.

The size of public aquaria are usually limited by cost considerations. Ruth Handler stated that she felt it was "important to a little girl's self-esteem to play with a doll that [had] breasts", believing it would allow them role-play and imagine their future lives as adult women. Its main tank, which holds 7,500 cubic meters of water, features the world's largest acrylic panel measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Barbie's wardrobe was designed by esteemed Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson, whose inspiration came from the fashion runways of Paris. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the world's second largest aquarium and part of the Ocean Expo Park located in Motobu, Okinawa. The doll was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model", so many fashions were available for her as well. At 56 feet long by 17 feet high (17 by 5 m), it used to be the largest window in the world and is over 13 inches (330 mm) thick. In succeeding years, Barbie dolls were made available with other hair styles and colors.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has an acrylic viewing window into their largest tank. The dolls were available either as blonds or brunettes. gallons (1,500 m³). The first Barbie doll wore a black-and-white "zebra-striped" swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail with tightly-curled bangs. gallons (7,500 m³), as well as two others of 400,000 U.S. (This date is also used as Barbie's official "birthday".). The Shedd Aquarium features an individual aquarium of two million U.S. The doll made its debut at the New York International American Toy Fair on March 9, 1959.

Public aquaria designed for exhibition of large species or environments can be dramatically larger than any home aquarium. A new sculpt was designed (with help from engineer Jack Ryan), the concept was revamped, and the doll was given a new name: Barbie, after Handler's daughter, Barbara. gallons (several cubic meters), at great effort and expense. At some point, Mattel acquired the rights to the Lilli doll. However, some dedicated aquarists have been known to construct custom aquaria of up to several thousand U.S. The doll was so popular, she was even exported to other countries, including the United States. gallons). Although the doll was initially marketed to adult men in bars and tobacco shops, it eventually became popular with children, who enjoyed dressing her up in outfits that were available separately.

gallon (1 kg/L)) and internal water pressure (requiring thick, strong glass siding) of a large aquarium, keep most home aquaria to a maximum of around 1 m³ (300 U.S. The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1955. Practical limitations, most notably the weight (water weighs about 8.3 pounds per U.S. Lilli was a fashionable "society girl" who knew what she wanted and wasn't above using men to get it. This size is widely considered the smallest practical system with filtration and other basic systems; indeed, the local government of Rome has recently taken the step of banning traditional goldfish bowls as inhumane. The Lilli doll was based on a popular character appearing in a newspaper comic strip drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for die Bild-Zeitung. gallons (11 L). She gave one to her daughter and took the others back to Mattel.

Aquaria kept in homes by hobbyists can be as small as 3 U.S. The adult-figured Lilli doll was exactly what Handler had had in mind, so she purchased three of them. In general, larger aquarium systems are typically recommended to hobbyists due to their resistance to rapid fluctuations of temperature and pH, allowing for greater system stability. However, during a trip to Germany with her daughter, Handler discovered a German doll named Lilli in a shop window. An aquarium can range from a small, unadorned glass bowl containing less than a liter of water – although generally unsuited for most fish (except, perhaps, air breathing fish such as Betta splendens or the Paradise Fish) – to massive tanks built in public aquaria which are limited only by engineering constraints and can house entire ecosystems as large as kelp forests or species of large sharks. Mattel's directors told her that it would be impossible to create such a doll. Water temperature can be regulated with a combined thermometer/heater unit (or, more rarely, with a cooling unit), while water movement can be controlled through the use of powerheads and careful design of internal water flow (such as location of filtration system points of inflow and outflow). Realizing that there was a hole in the marketplace, Handler suggested the idea of a three-dimensional adult-bodied doll to her husband, Elliot Handler, a co-founder of the Mattel toy company, but the idea was scoffed at.

Aquarists may prefer anything from still water up to swift simulated currents in an aquarium, depending on the conditions best suited for the aquarium's inhabitants. At that time, most three-dimensional dolls were made to look like babies or small children; however, Barbara preferred playing with paper dolls that looked like adults. Water movement can also be important in accurately simulating a natural ecosystem. In the 1950s Ruth Handler, "creator" of the Barbie doll, noticed that her daughter, Barbara, preferred to play with dolls that resembled adults rather than babies. Cold water aquaria are those with temperatures below what would be considered tropical; a variety of fish are better suited to this cooler environment. . Most fish and plant species tolerate only a limited range of water temperatures: Tropical or warm water aquaria, with an average temperature of about 25 °C (78 °F), are much more common and house most popular aquarium fish. Barbie and her accessories are manufactured to approximately 1/6th scale.

cold water. Totally Hair Barbie featured extra-long hair, which reached from her head down to her toes. The temperature of the water forms the basis of one of the two most basic aquarium classifications: tropical vs. The highest-selling Barbie doll in Mattel's history, Totally Hair Barbie (known as "Ultra Hair Barbie" outside the US), was released in 1992. Secondary water characteristics are also important to the success of an aquarium. The doll is produced by Mattel, inc. In contrast, public aquaria with large water needs often locate themselves near a natural water source (such as a river, lake, or ocean) in order to have easy access to large volumes of water that does not require much further treatment. Barbie, the world's most famous and best-selling doll, debuted at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959.

More sophisticated aquarists may make other modifications to their base water source to modify the water's alkalinity, hardness, or dissolved content of organics and gases, before adding it to their aquaria. The most popular Barbie joke is as follows: A man goes into a shop to buy a Barbie doll for his daughter, looks at the various models on display and asks the shop assistant in a puzzled way: "Why is Divorced Barbie so much more expensive than the other dolls?" "That's easy, sir" replies the shop assistant, "Divorced Barbie comes with Ken's car, Ken's house, Ken's furniture...". Brackish or saltwater aquaria require the addition of a mixture of salts and other minerals, which are commercially available for this purpose. Barbie appears briefly in the 1999 movie Toy Story 2 as Tour Guide Barbie and Barbie on Backpack. For freshwater aquaria, additives formulated to remove chlorine or chloramine (used to disinfect drinking water supplies for human consumption) are often all that is needed to make the water ready for aquarium use. [15]. Home aquarists typically use modified tap water supplied through their local municipal water system to fill their tanks. In December 1999 a 46-year old man from Taiwan named Chang Hsi-hsum "married" a Barbie doll in a ceremony at his local Buddhist temple, in the belief that it housed the spirit of his former wife Tsai who had killed herself twenty years previously.

Dissolved organic content and dissolved gases content are also important factors. Barbie's measurements, if she were life size, are 39-23-33. Hardness measures overall dissolved mineral content; soft or hard water may be preferred. Several years ago, it was estimated that if every Barbie ever sold were laid end to end, the dolls would circle the world seven times. The pH of the water is a measure of alkalinity or acidity. Barbie doll has lots of famous friends; Mattel has produced many celebrity dolls throughout the years. Several other water characteristics result from dissolved contents of the water, and are important to the proper simulation of natural environments. In The Simpsons, there is a parody of Barbie called Malibu Stacy.

An aquarium may have fresh water (a salt level of < 0.5%), simulating a lake or river environment; salt water (a salt level of 5%–18%), simulating an ocean or sea environment; or brackish water (a salt level of 0.5%–5%), simulating environments lying between fresh and salt, such as estuaries. When this gene is absent, the flies form without external genitalia. Salt content, or salinity, is the most basic classification of water conditions. There is a gene in the Drosophila fruit-fly called the "ken and barbie" gene (abbreviated ken). The dissolved content of water is perhaps the most important aspect of water conditions, as dissolved salts and other constituents can dramatically impact basic water chemistry, and therefore how organisms are able to interact with their environment. In Sweden, more Barbie dolls have been sold than the country's current population. The size of an aquarium also limits the aquarist in what types of ecosystems he can reproduce, species selection, and biological loading. See full list of Barbie's careers.

The conditions and characteristics of the water contained in an aquarium are the most important classification criteria, as most aquatic life will not survive even limited exposure to unsuitable water conditions. Tourist at Walt Disney World and Disneyland