Description
Care for fishes, aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians in public aquariums, zoos, and research facilities. Prepare diets, monitor health and behavior, maintain water quality and life support systems, and clean and repair tanks and equipment. Keep detailed records, assist with quarantine and breeding, and engage visitors with species information; may dive for exhibit maintenance.
- • Prepare and feed species-appropriate diets on established schedules.
- • Observe animals daily to detect signs of stress, disease, or injury.
- • Conduct routine water quality testing and record results.
- • Adjust and monitor life support systems to maintain temperature, salinity, flow, and chemistry.
- • Siphon substrates, scrub algae, and clean viewing panels and décor.
- • Dive in exhibits to perform cleaning and husbandry tasks as certified.
- • Quarantine, acclimate, and monitor new specimens per protocols.
- • Collect and record data on weight, length, condition, treatments, and food intake.
- • Administer prescribed treatments and medications under veterinary direction.
- • Coordinate with veterinarians to evaluate and treat sick or injured animals.
- • Mix diets, gel foods, supplements, and medicated feeds as instructed.
- • Maintain and disinfect nets, tools, holding tanks, and quarantine equipment.
- • Transfer animals between systems for exhibits, breeding, shipping, or medical care.
- • Install, operate, and troubleshoot pumps, filters, skimmers, heaters, chillers, and lighting.
- • Prepare artificial seawater and perform water changes and system backwashes.
- • Order, receive, and store feed, salt, and husbandry supplies.
- • Provide environmental enrichment and target training for husbandry behaviors.
- • Support touch tank operations and coach safe guest interactions with animals.
- • Respond to visitor questions about species, habitats, and conservation.
- • Monitor and respond to life support alarms and emergency conditions.
- • Maintain detailed husbandry logs, permits, and chain-of-custody records.
- • Assist with breeding, larval rearing, and propagation projects.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
