Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fish Feeder

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a reliable, detail-oriented Fish Feeder (Aquatic Husbandry Technician) to join our aquatic care team. The Fish Feeder will execute daily feeding schedules, maintain water quality and husbandry standards, support animal health monitoring and quarantine protocols, and assist with general aquarium and hatchery operations. This role is essential to the welfare of captive fish populations and supports breeding, research, and public display programs. Ideal candidates demonstrate strong observational skills, practical knowledge of aquaculture equipment, and a commitment to biosecurity and safety.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aquarium Attendant / Exhibit Attendant
Hatchery Worker / Stocking Assistant
Pet Store Associate with aquatic responsibilities

Advancement To:

Senior Aquarist / Aquatic Husbandry Lead
Hatchery Supervisor / Aquaculture Technician II
Aquatic Health Technician or Aquaculture Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Water Quality Technician
Animal Care Technician (other species)
Public Programs Interpreter (educational demonstrations)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Maintain and execute daily feeding plans for a diverse collection of fish species (freshwater, marine, and brackish) by preparing species-appropriate diets, measuring rations, and recording consumption to ensure nutritional standards and prevent over- or under-feeding.
Monitor fish behavior and condition during and after feedings, identifying signs of stress, disease, abnormal behavior, or feeding changes, and promptly escalate concerns to the Aquatic Health Manager or veterinarian with detailed observations and records.
Prepare, mix, and portion live, frozen, gel, and dry feeds—such as Artemia, rotifers, brine shrimp, frozen mysis, and formulated diets—following SOPs for thawing, enrichment, and delivery to maximize feed acceptance and nutritional uptake.
Perform routine tank maintenance including cleaning substrate, glass, filters, and equipment; removing uneaten food and detritus; and maintaining exhibit aesthetics while minimizing stress to animals.
Conduct daily and scheduled water quality testing (temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) using hand-held meters and kits, interpret results, and perform corrective actions or notify supervisors when parameters are outside acceptable ranges.
Carry out partial and full water changes with proper handling of fish and equipment, ensure correct mixing and conditioning of replacement water, and maintain stable temperature and chemistry during transitions to prevent osmotic or thermal shock.
Operate and troubleshoot life support systems, including pumps, UV sterilizers, protein skimmers, heaters, chillers, aeration systems, and mechanical/biological filtration; perform routine preventative maintenance and basic repairs or coordinate service calls as required.
Implement quarantine and acclimation procedures for new or returning fish, including isolation tank management, observation protocols, prophylactic treatments when appropriate, and accurate quarantine record-keeping to support biosecurity.
Administer medications, treatments, and feeding-based therapeutics under the direction of veterinary or senior aquarist staff, ensuring correct dosage, route, and documentation in medical logs.
Maintain accurate daily logs and digital records for feedings, water quality results, animal observations, mortality reports, and inventory movements to support reporting, regulatory compliance, and data-driven husbandry decisions.
Assist with egg collection, spawning observation, and early-life stage husbandry tasks such as fry rearing, weaning, and transfer of juveniles between systems following established breeding and hatchery SOPs.
Monitor and manage feed and supply inventory—conduct stock counts, place orders, rotate perishable feeds, and ensure appropriate storage conditions (frozen, refrigerated, dry) to maintain feed quality and traceability.
Safely capture, net, and transfer fish between tanks or transport containers for routine procedures, medical interventions, or exhibit maintenance while minimizing handling stress and injury using appropriate equipment and techniques.
Participate in scheduled cleaning and disinfection cycles for tanks, nets, hoses, and other husbandry equipment using approved disinfectants and methods to reduce cross-contamination risk and maintain facility biosecurity.
Support emergent response for equipment failure, water quality incidents, or mass mortalities: execute emergency protocols, perform triage-level actions, and assist with incident documentation and corrective action plans.
Conduct routine visual health assessments and participate in periodic veterinary exams and sample collection (e.g., swabs, water samples, fecal material) under supervision to aid in disease surveillance and research activities.
Assist senior staff with breeding programs, livestock transfers, and selective husbandry initiatives by preparing culture systems, setting up larval tanks, and tracking lineage or breeding records.
Facilitate safe and humane euthanasia under direct supervision or following facility protocols when necessary, and document procedures and reasons in compliance with animal care regulations and institutional policy.
Support public-facing programs and educational demonstrations by preparing fish for viewable feedings, explaining feeding routines and husbandry to visitors when required, and ensuring exhibits remain safe and presentable.
Enforce and follow workplace safety procedures (PPE, chemical handling, manual lifting ergonomics) and maintain clean, well-organized workspaces to reduce hazards in the aquaculture environment.
Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for feeding regimes, quarantine processes, and water quality management by recording observations and recommending practical enhancements.
Use facility management and husbandry software to input data, generate simple reports, and support senior staff with data summaries used for operational decisions, research, or regulatory reporting.
Coordinate with research staff, veterinarians, and senior aquarists on experimental protocols, sample collection schedules, or specialized feeding trials, ensuring adherence to study designs and ethical standards.

Secondary Functions

Train and mentor volunteers, seasonal staff, and new hires on feeding protocols, safe handling, and basic water testing to ensure consistent husbandry practices across shifts.
Support transport logistics for fish deliveries and transfers, including packing live animals with appropriate temperature control, oxygenation, and documentation.
Assist with inventory procurement by researching feed vendors, compiling quotes, and ensuring quality control on incoming orders.
Participate in cross-departmental projects such as exhibit renovations, system upgrades, and conservation initiatives that intersect with husbandry operations.
Provide backup coverage for related positions (water quality technician, exhibit maintenance) as needed to maintain uninterrupted animal care.
Help prepare materials and supplies for public programs, educational outreach, and behind-the-scenes tours related to feeding and husbandry.
Support data quality assurance by reviewing digital entries for accuracy, reconciling discrepancies, and escalating persistent data issues to supervisors.
Assist senior staff in emergency drills and training exercises to ensure team readiness for power outages, biosecurity breaches, or severe water quality events.
Contribute to basic necropsy support by preparing work area, assisting with sample labeling, and ensuring proper disposal of biological waste according to facility policy.
Participate in routine audits and regulatory inspections by compiling records, demonstrating procedures, and implementing corrective actions under guidance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Practical fish husbandry and aquarium husbandry experience, including feeding live, frozen, and dry diets and managing species-specific feeding requirements.
Proficient water chemistry testing (pH, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) and interpretation of results for corrective action.
Operation and basic troubleshooting of life support systems: pumps, filtration (mechanical/biological), heaters, chillers, protein skimmers, and UV sterilization units.
Quarantine procedures, acclimation protocols, and biosecurity best practices to prevent pathogen introduction and spread.
Medication and treatment administration for aquatic animals (e.g., medicated baths, oral dosing), including accurate dosing calculations and record-keeping.
Handling, netting, and transfer techniques to minimize stress and injury during moves, sampling, and maintenance.
Routine water exchanges, mixing and conditioning of replacement water, and knowledge of buffering and dechlorination agents.
Inventory management for feeds and husbandry supplies, including proper storage (temperature control, FIFO), ordering, and vendor interaction.
Basic use of husbandry and facility management software or databases to log feedings, water quality, and animal health records.
Familiarity with hatchery operations: egg collection, larval rearing, fry feeding and weaning techniques.
Knowledge of cleaning and disinfection protocols for aquatic systems and safe handling of cleaning chemicals.
Basic mechanical aptitude for minor repairs and preventive maintenance on pumps, air lines, and plumbing.
Safe transport and packing of live fish for short and medium-distance transfers with attention to regulatory documentation.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills and attention to detail to detect subtle changes in animal behavior and water quality trends.
Excellent verbal communication for clear handovers between shifts and coordination with veterinary and scientific staff.
Dependable time management and ability to follow strict daily feeding and maintenance schedules.
Team player mentality with the ability to collaborate across departments and mentor volunteers or seasonal staff.
Problem-solving orientation with the ability to prioritize tasks during emergencies or system failures.
Resilience and physical stamina for manual tasks including lifting, carrying, and working in humid/wet environments.
High level of responsibility and ethical behavior in handling live animals and confidential research or medical information.
Adaptability and willingness to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays common in live-animal operations.
Strong documentation discipline and data accuracy mindset to support reporting, research, and compliance needs.
Customer-facing poise when interacting with visitors during educational feedings or behind-the-scenes programs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (required)

Preferred Education:

Certificate or diploma in Aquaculture, Marine Biology Technician, Animal Science, Zoological Technology, or related vocational program
Coursework or continuing education in water chemistry, aquatic pathology, or husbandry best practices

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aquaculture
Marine Biology / Fisheries Science
Animal Science / Zoology
Environmental Science
Aquatic Veterinary Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years in aquarium, hatchery, aquaculture, pet retail aquatic departments, or similar roles

Preferred:

1–3+ years of hands-on experience in fish feeding and husbandry, water quality monitoring, and life support system operation in an aquarium, fish farm, or research setting
Demonstrated experience with quarantine protocols, medication administration, and hatchery/larval rearing preferred