The latest status symbol in luxury real estate doesn’t hang on the wall—it swims

Luxury homeowners are increasingly turning to large custom aquariums as a striking feature inside their houses. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal by Robyn A. Friedman, these elaborate saltwater displays have surged in popularity since the pandemic. Many affluent homeowners, spending more time at home during that period, began looking for vibrant aquatic installations to serve as eye-catching centerpieces.

Designers and aquarium specialists say the price for these projects often starts around $25,000, but the most elaborate installations can reach as high as $1 million. Data from the American Pet Products Association’s Fish & Reptile Report supports the trend. In 2025, about 34 percent of saltwater fish owners said their aquariums held more than 126 gallons of water, a 17 percent increase compared with 2023.

The costs do not stop with the tank itself. Television producer Jeff Franklin, known for creating the sitcom Full House, is an avid scuba diver and installed five aquariums inside his 21,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, California. The fish living in those tanks are valued at roughly $80,000. Maintaining the aquariums requires professional service that costs him about $6,000 every month. In another case, a family with a single 2,200-gallon aquarium spends approximately $3,000 each month on upkeep.

Because of the ongoing maintenance and frequent service visits required, some homeowners are deciding to remove their aquariums altogether. A construction company owner in Florida said he has seen clients request that tanks be taken out because they are tired of having technicians in their homes several times a week. Over time, the regular maintenance can feel intrusive, leading some homeowners to prioritize privacy over the dramatic aquatic displays.