A segment with growth potential

1. How are your sales in the marine aquarium segment doing compared with previous years?2. In which countries do you see the biggest growth potential for marine aquariums?3. How do you view the trend in the invertebrates sphere in marine aquatics?"Invertebrates are on the increase"1. Compared with previous years, small marine aquariums are dominating the retail trade. We are taking an integrated approach to the demand for these. Our "marine cube 130", for example, is in great demand among consumers. There's no break in the trend towards bringing brightly coloured fish and invertebrates into the living room. Small and large marine aquariums alike need a regular supply of minerals and trace elements. Customers like to pick our marine water conditioners 1-7 in their easy to understand form, because they are tailored to consumers in line with the market. In this area in particular we are seeing above-average growth rates.2. We perceive the greatest growth potential to be in Europe - in the Benelux countries, Germany, France, the UK and on the Iberian Peninsula. On the American continent, the USA and Brazil are growth markets for marine aquariums. In all these countries, aquarists are discovering that with the right equipment, looking after marine aquariums doesn't have to be very expensive.3. Invertebrates are increasingly becoming a feature of aquariums. Hobbyists have known for some time that the number of such species suitable for aquariums is significantly higher than the number of fish species. In the USA in particular, there are more than 100 marine clubs, very many of which are interested in the vegetative propagation of stony corals. Attention is paid especially to the colourfulness of the species. This trend seems to be advancing. Ultimately the propagation of corals in the aquarium is to be viewed as a very positive development, as the removal of corals from their natural environment is tapering off. Most other invertebrates are currently neglected and are waiting to be "discovered" by aquarium hobbyists.Josef RavnakFounder andManaging DirectorSera GmbH"Positive market trend"1. We are seeing a positive trend and regard marine aquariums as a growing segment. Consumers are fascinated by marine aquariums, especially by the splendid colour of the corals and fishes, which are considered unique.Marine aquariums are certainly demanding, but their popularity has increased not least due to the Disney movie Nemo. Even after the Nemo peak we believe the global…