Steps On How To Become An Aquarist

If you are fascinated by underwater life, you might like working as an aquarist. These animal health specialists are responsible for the care and well-being of diverse sea species in various indoor facilities, as well as diving out into the field to conduct research and collect new specimens. In this post, we will look at the work environment, duties, and pay associated with this career path, as well as provide a step-by-step approach to become an aquarist.

What does an aquarist do?

An aquarist is a caretaker who specializes in providing a secure and nurturing environment for marine life.
While most aquarists operate indoors at aquariums, zoos, or wildlife sanctuaries, some may spend time in lakes, rivers, or oceans collecting and studying various aquatic creatures. Aquarists frequently need to spend time at their computers creating and updating animal health reports.

An aquarist’s job description varies not only by location but also by seniority: a junior-level aquarist may be responsible for cleaning tanks and logging animal behavior, whereas a more senior aquarist may develop nutrition and activity plans, lead research to improve aquarium conditions, and lead deep-sea dives to observe new specimens. Overall, common tasks for an aquarist include:

• Overseeing the upkeep of tanks containing sea life, such as crustaceans, fish and sharks
• Monitoring the health of sea creatures and diagnosing any illnesses or injuries
• Checking pumps, filters and heaters to ensure they’re operating properly
• Ensuring the water quality and temperatures are at the correct amounts
• Managing nutrition and propagation plans
• Administering food and vitamins to animals in their care
• Building displays for marine life to live in that replicate their natural habitats and look appealing to onlookers
• Writing reports on tank conditions, water quality and animal health
• Going deep-sea diving to study underwater animals and collect samples

How to become an aquarist

Because your major purpose as an aquarist is to keep underwater animals safe and healthy, you must have the necessary skills and experience to succeed in this capacity. Follow these steps to become an excellent aquarist:

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree

To study animal behavior and anatomy, earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant science or animal-related field. You can pursue a degree in aquaculture, marine biology, zoology, or a related subject of study such as environmental engineering or veterinary sciences. You could begin taking electives or participating in extracurricular activities as early as high school, gaining familiarity with animals, habitats, and conservation efforts whenever possible.

2. Take scuba diving training

Many aquarist jobs require undertaking fieldwork by diving into oceans, rivers, and lakes to gather samples and research underwater life. Employers expect you to complete your scuba diving training outside of your bachelor’s program, as it is required for nearly all aquarist positions. You should also obtain cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certificates to guarantee that you can offer emergency care to animals while spending time underwater.

3. Consider an internship

While not obligatory, many aquarists start their careers by interning in a local aquarium or sanctuary to gain experience and a competitive advantage. This could allow you to shadow a professional aquarist and gain firsthand knowledge with the role’s responsibilities.

Listing an internship on your resume can help you stand out from other entry-level prospects. Many programs collaborate with organizations that provide internships for college credit, so speak with your professor about possible opportunities.

4. Join a professional organization

Many aquarists from all over the world join the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This nonprofit group provides information and networking opportunities for aquarists to brainstorm ideas, share industry resources, and offer advise on work-related issues. In addition to networking with a global community, you’ll receive updates on new advancements in your field. There may be additional local groups in your region.

5. Advance your education

If you want to take on more difficult duties, advance in your career, and make more money, consider furthering your education. You can pursue a master’s degree in marine biology or a related discipline immediately following undergraduate studies or after a few years of working as an aquarist. This advanced education can prepare you to work in senior positions and specialized tasks. You may do sophisticated fieldwork, high-level experiments, or teach marine biology to students.

Aquarist skills

A skilled aquarist is in sync with the animals in their care and must pay close attention to detail to detect changes in behavior, illness, or damage. It is an active occupation that demands many hours of walking in addition to diving research, therefore physical stamina is essential. An aquarist must be informed with marine biology and anatomy, as well as many types of instruments and equipment—from veterinarian tools to boats, forklifts, and tank piping.

Aquarist salary and job outlook

While Indeed Salaries does not presently provide salary statistics for aquarists, the national average annual compensation for an animal caretaker is $29,347, but salary data is constantly updated. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for aquarists will increase by 22% over the next ten years, which is faster than normal. As scientists and marine biologists continue to investigate underwater life, they will discover new organisms for aquarists to care for and nurture in a stable, safe, and captive habitat, increasing the demand for aquarists.