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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aquarist

💰 $28,000 - $60,000

Animal CareMarine BiologyAquarium ManagementAquaculture

🎯 Role Definition

An Aquarist is responsible for the daily care, husbandry, and exhibit maintenance of aquatic animals and ecosystems in public aquaria, research facilities, aquaculture farms, and private collections. The role requires hands-on experience with living collection management, water chemistry and life support systems (LSS), animal health and enrichment programs, quarantine and biosecurity protocols, specimen propagation, and guest-facing education. Aquarists collaborate with veterinarians, biologists, educators, and facilities teams to ensure animal welfare, exhibit safety, regulatory compliance, and engaging visitor experiences. This description is optimized for search terms such as "aquarist job", "aquarium husbandry", "aquatic life support", "marine biologist aquarist", and "aquarium exhibit maintenance."

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Aquatic Animal Husbandry Technician
  • Husbandry Volunteer / Intern (Aquarium or Marine Lab)
  • Marine Biology or Aquaculture Field Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Aquarist / Lead Aquarist
  • Exhibit Curator / Collection Manager
  • Aquatic Life Support Systems (ALSS) Supervisor
  • Aquatic Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Aquatic Research Technician
  • Education & Outreach Coordinator (Aquarium)
  • Aquaculture Farm Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide daily husbandry for fish, invertebrates, corals, reptiles and amphibians — including species-specific feeding plans, diet preparation, ration control, and feeding records to maintain optimal health and growth.
  • Monitor and manage water quality across multiple systems by performing daily, weekly and monthly testing for temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, alkalinity, and trace elements; interpret results and make corrective adjustments.
  • Operate, maintain and troubleshoot life support and filtration systems (mechanical, biological, chemical filtration; protein skimmers; UV sterilizers; chillers; heaters; pumps; dosing systems; PLCs and controllers) to ensure stable exhibit conditions and prevent system failures.
  • Implement and maintain quarantine procedures for new arrivals and transfers, including isolation tank setup, observation protocols, prophylactic treatments, and documentation to prevent pathogen spread.
  • Observe and document animal behavior and health daily; identify signs of disease, stress, injury or abnormal behavior and coordinate treatment with veterinary staff or external specialists, including administering medications and assisting with diagnostics and necropsies.
  • Develop and follow species-specific husbandry protocols, enrichment plans and breeding programs; document breeding attempts, rearing protocols for larvae or juveniles, tagging/marking and record successful rearing outcomes.
  • Lead or support propagation and coral fragging programs, including fragmentation, attachment, coral husbandry, and growth monitoring for reef restoration or exhibit requirements.
  • Perform routine and preventative maintenance on exhibits and support spaces: cleaning tanks, scrubbing algae, replacing media, maintaining substrate and decor to ensure healthy habitats and visitor aesthetics.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in animal management databases (e.g., ZIMS, Ringgold, or internal LIMS), spreadsheets and physical logs covering feedings, treatments, water tests, inventory, transfers and incident reports.
  • Coordinate and perform animal transfers and shipping logistics (packing, temperature control, compliance with IATA and local regulations), and complete required permits and documentation for interstate or international movements.
  • Assist with exhibit design and installation planning by advising on species compatibility, tank sizing, life support requirements, and staging for new or rotating exhibits to ensure animal welfare and operational feasibility.
  • Prepare and manage diets including fresh, frozen and prepared feeds; balance nutritional profiles for herbivores, carnivores and omnivores; develop specialized diets for growing, breeding or medicated treatments.
  • Supervise, train and mentor junior staff, interns and volunteers in husbandry techniques, safety procedures, animal handling, and data entry to build team capability and ensure consistent care standards.
  • Participate in emergency response plans for animal health crises, life support failures, power outages or water quality incidents — including rapid water changes, temporary housing, transport, and coordination with facilities and veterinary teams.
  • Implement biosecurity and chemical safety protocols including proper use and storage of disinfectants, antibiotics, and hazardous materials; follow PPE, MSDS, and disposal procedures.
  • Support exhibit interpretation and guest engagement by participating in talks, tours, feeding demonstrations and educational programs to communicate animal care practices and conservation messages.
  • Collaborate with veterinarians and research scientists on health assessments, diagnostic sampling (blood, swabs, biopsies), treatment plans, and participation in clinical studies or husbandry trials.
  • Manage inventory of supplies: feeds, medications, media, replacement parts and maintenance consumables; place orders, track deliveries and control costs to maintain uninterrupted operations.
  • Perform mechanical repairs and minor carpentry/plumbing work on tanks and support equipment; coordinate with facilities contractors for larger repairs and capital projects.
  • Assist with budget tracking and cost-saving initiatives in husbandry operations, including feed utilization, chemical use, and preventative maintenance scheduling.
  • Maintain strict compliance with local, state and federal regulations regarding animal welfare, treatment, holding, permits (exotic species, CITES), and safety codes.
  • Conduct routine environmental enrichment programs, rotate decor and stimuli, and monitor enrichment effectiveness to promote natural behaviors and reduce stress.
  • Support research and conservation projects by collecting biological samples, maintaining experimental tanks, recording experimental data and ensuring rigorous husbandry controls.
  • Participate in scheduled scuba diving operations for exhibit maintenance or animal care where required and certified; follow dive safety and confined space protocols.

Secondary Functions

  • Contribute to interpretive content, social media updates and exhibit signage that highlight husbandry practices, conservation programs and species stories.
  • Support grant proposals, research submissions, and conservation partnerships by providing husbandry data, logistical support and facility expertise.
  • Assist with scheduling and logistics for outreach events, school programs and traveling exhibits that require specimen transport and secure handling.
  • Aid in cross-departmental initiatives such as facilities upgrades, sustainability programs (water reuse, energy efficiency), and exhibit redesigns by sharing husbandry requirements and LSS implications.
  • Facilitate ad-hoc specimen loans and transfers with partner institutions, ensuring biosecurity, permits and accurate documentation for AZA or regional consortium programs.
  • Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for husbandry, quarantine, chemical handling and emergency response to reflect best practices and regulatory changes.
  • Provide input and support for animal acquisition planning, acquisition budgets, and species selection based on husbandry capacity and exhibit objectives.
  • Support volunteer and community science programs that collect observational or environmental data relevant to husbandry and exhibit success.
  • Assist with basic GIS or mapping tasks for exhibit layouts and water system schematics when requested.
  • Participate in weekly team meetings, training sessions, and continuing education to maintain up-to-date husbandry and LSS knowledge.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Aquatic animal husbandry: species-specific feeding, breeding, rearing and enrichment programs for fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles.
  • Water chemistry analysis: ability to perform and interpret tests for pH, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and trace elements; corrective dosing experience.
  • Life support systems (LSS) operation and maintenance: pumps, filters, protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, chillers/heaters, PLC controllers, and automated dosing systems.
  • Quarantine and biosecurity: isolation tank management, prophylactic treatments, pathogen control and SOP adherence.
  • Diagnostic & clinical support: sample collection, medication administration, observation for pathology, and working knowledge of common aquatic diseases and treatments.
  • Coral husbandry and propagation: fragging, glueing, mounting, lighting and flow management for coral growth and aquaculture propagation.
  • Mechanical & plumbing skills: basic pump replacement, valve management, PVC plumbing, leak detection, and preventative maintenance.
  • SCUBA certification and aquatic work diving skills (where required): in-water maintenance and exhibit inspection.
  • Data management: experience with animal records databases (ZIMS, ARKS) or robust spreadsheet management for tracking feed, treatments, and inventory.
  • Animal transport and shipping: live animal packing, IATA regulation familiarity, temperature control and permit documentation.
  • Diet formulation and feed preparation: frozen, fresh, pellets, live feed culture maintenance (rotifers, Artemia) and nutritional balance.
  • Basic carpentry, fabrication and exhibit maintenance skills for upkeep of exhibit structures.
  • Familiarity with regulatory compliance and permit processes (local/state wildlife permits, CITES where applicable).
  • Basic IT skills: scheduling tools, inventory systems, email, and CMS platforms for public engagement content.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational skills and attention to detail for early detection of health or system issues.
  • Excellent communication skills for cross-functional coordination with veterinary, facilities, education and management teams, and for public-facing interpretation.
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting mindset under time-sensitive or emergency conditions.
  • Team leadership and mentorship abilities to train junior staff, interns and volunteers.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform lifting, repetitive tasks, and confined-space work.
  • Time management and organizational skills to prioritize husbandry tasks and maintenance schedules.
  • Patience and empathy for working with animals and mentoring learners in hands-on settings.
  • Adaptability and calm under pressure during system failures, animal health events or public incidents.
  • Strong documentation and record-keeping discipline to maintain regulatory and accreditation standards.
  • Customer service and public speaking skills for feeding demonstrations, tours and educational engagement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required; vocational training or certificate in aquarium sciences, aquaculture, animal care, or diving is highly desirable.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Zoology, Biology, Environmental Science, or related life science field.
  • Specialized certifications (SCUBA, PADI Divemaster, CPR/First Aid, OSHA, AZA professional development) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Marine Biology
  • Aquaculture
  • Zoology
  • Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Veterinary Technology
  • Animal Behavior / Husbandry

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on aquarium or aquaculture experience; entry-level positions may start at 0–2 years with strong internship or volunteer background.

Preferred: 2–4+ years in a public aquarium, research facility or commercial aquaculture setting with demonstrated experience in life support systems maintenance, quarantine protocols, and species-specific husbandry.

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