Aquarists are the professionals who take care of the fish and other animal life in aquarium. These skilled people usually work under the supervision of aquarium curator. The aquarists work mostly with the fishes and ensure whether they are fed and check that the fishes receive all the things they need to survive in their environment.

They adapt to the surrounding where the fish live. Their daily tasks include many responsibilities such as cleaning the tank, remove algae from the glass for perfect view of fishes, etc. They are responsible for the wellbeing of the fishes and plants in the aquarium and handle all types of related jobs which range from ensuring the correct temperature of aquarium to feeding the animals with proper amount and type of food.

Apart from the daily tasks they also take care of the animals which get sick or those who require special attention. They regularly monitor the fishes within the aquarium for several experiments and collect the valuable information for a range of purposes. If the aquarists have required formal education and experience in this field they can even rise to the profession of scientists in this area.

Qualifying Exam

It is necessary that candidates should hold at least a bachelor’s degree to enter in this profession. Most of the candidates will pursue the graduation in environmental engineering, veterinary science, biology or science to seek employment in this area. Relevant experience is an essential factor in this profession. Experienced candidates are mostly preferred by the employers, while some of them may provide on job training. Under the training period, candidates will learn about the different responsibilities and methods to take care of fish and its environment.

Who is eligible to apply?

Students can apply for the bachelor’s degree programme in biology, veterinary science or environmental engineering after successfully completing their HSC education or equivalent from a reputed institution. Many colleges and universities in the country offer these disciplines for the aspiring students. While graduating they can apply for the relevant job in this area to gain experience. This will help them to get into a bright career afterwards as an Aquarist.

Key points in the process

• Study 12th or equivalent with Biology and pass the concerned examinations with good marks.
• Pursue the bachelor’s degree in biology, veterinary science or environmental engineering from a recognized university.
• Gain relevant experience while pursuing graduation.
• Search out for the job as Aquarist and apply for the position.

Skills required for an Aquarist

A career as Aquarist is most apt for the individuals who are interested to work with the water animals and have a great passion in this profession. Apart from the formal educational qualifications, they must also possess certain qualities and skills to perform in this field. They must have the strong knowledge about the animals and plants in water and its characteristics. They should have patience to handle all the lives in aquarium. They should be able to carry their responsibilities with dedication and hard work.