Aquarium Management, by Dr. Adrian Lawler

Aquarium Management
by Adrian Lawler, Ph.D.
(retired) Aquarium Supervisor (l984-l998) J. L. Scott Aquarium Biloxi, Ms 39530

Original to Aquarticles

There are numerous books on "how to" take care of tanks. This short article is thus not intended to cover all aspects of all subjects pertaining to aquarium management. Book knowledge has value, but first-hand experience has far greater value (the difference being "reading how" vs. "experiencing and knowing how"). Observational savvy, i.e., constantly being observant for things wrong plus hands-on experience will solve most problems encountered (see article on tank checks). There can be many correct pathways to arrive at the same result in running an aquarium (i.e., there may be different procedures but all can be correct) but we must strive to pick the procedural pathway that is the most efficient, quickest, and least costly. Only hands-on experience with the tanks in question and the organisms involved can give one the best procedures, and some of these methods may not be in the published literature.

There is also no "Final" manual on aquarium management procedures; there should be constant technique improvements and incorporation of new findings. Details concerning each aspect of aquarium management can be found in numerous texts, and in other articles by me and others at Aquarticles.com, and at other sites and books.

Aquarium management requires knowing enough about many subjects (Aquaculture to Zoology) in order to do all aspects of an aquarium operation, plus practicing constant diligence, constant observation, and constant work. As we are dealing with living organisms held under unnatural conditions we can expect some failures (no doctor saves all human patients). Our goal is to learn from any failures so we can become more proficient and efficient.

Levels of aquarium management will vary from managing one tank as a hobby to managing many tanks in a pet store, public aquarium, theme park, laboratory, etc. For a public aquarium it is all about keeping the organisms alive and in a healthy state in pleasing displays that hopefully educate and please the public. For a laboratory it is about keeping the organisms in a healthy state so they can be used for various experiments. Aquarium management is a never-ending job and a constant struggle to keep things running correctly.

A public aquarium should not be under the control of a building administrator, but one knowledgeable about aquariums. It is bad management to make someone responsible for an aquarium, but then have someone else (usually with little or no knowledge of aquarium management) have final authority.

The outline below indicates the more important aspects of study for aquarium management in order to result in maintaining healthy specimens for display, or experimental use.

AQUARIUM MANAGEMENT (short outline)
1. Introduction: A. Health and safety of humans, B. Daily records, C. Tank checks.
2. Water: A. Water supply, B. Water quality, C. Artificial salt water, D. Toxins and dangerous
organisms, E. Trace elements.
3. Animal handling: A. Collecting, B. Proper handling, C. Back-up tanks, D. Treatment, E. Stocking, F. Necropsy.
4. Feeding: A. Food/feeding, B. Nutrition, C. Culture of foods, D. Collecting foods.
5. Filtration: A. Mechanical, B. Chemical, C. Biological, D. Filter designs, E. Filter repair.
6. Tank techniques: A. Tank designs, B. Tank repair, C. Support equipment, D. Aquascaping.
7. Tank maintenance: A. Water changes, B. Organic removal, C. Water quality measurements, D.
Algae control, E. Control of parasites and diseases.

EDUCATION NEEDED

Education needed: Associate or College degree to Ph.D., depending on whether one desires to be a technician/aquarist to Aquarium Supervisor/Director/Curator, and depending on the parent organization.

Some courses that may be required or suggested (will vary depending on school attended, degree sought, and interests of student and his advisor): Aquaculture, Animal behavior, Chemistry, Chordate anatomy, Computer science, Biology, Botany, Ecology, Embryology, Environmental Science, Fisheries management, Genetics, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate zoology, Immunology, Limnology, Marine biology, Marine technical methods, Microbiology, Nutrition, Organic Chemistry, Parasitology, Physical Oceanography, Physics, Physiology, Planktology, Population Dynamics, Statistics, Taxonomy, Toxicology, Zoogeography, Zoology, and other courses deemed necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibility of one managing aquariums is to maintain Aquarium in a healthy state, including:
1. Collecting, procuring, or raising animals for display or experiments.
2. Establishing a quarantine or treatment system for incoming organisms prior to display, etc.
3. Treating any injured or sick animals, as needed, and if possible.
4. Procuring food for animals; feeding animals.
5. Maintaining aquarium on a daily basis.
6. Keeping aquarium logs, graphics, lobby displays, etc., accurate and current.
7. Repairing equipment used in the Aquarium area.
8. Remodeling aquarium and aquascaping tanks.
9. Setting up living displays at local festivals for the public.
10. Providing free consultation to toxicity testing labs, aquaculture ventures, public aquaria, pet stores, other state agencies, and individuals concerning fish (+ other aquatic organisms), aquaculture, diseases, filters, water quality, etc., either in the field, in house, or via phone.
11. Educating public about aquatic organisms.
12. Keeping image of governing body of Aquarium (laboratory) looking good to public and politicians by keeping the Aquarium in good shape.

PERSONALITY (some character traits for those who would manage aquariums)

Involves the same qualities for managing one tank versus many in a public aquarium, etc., as follows:
1. Good at detective work; good problem solver. Can concentrate on solving things. One who can think on his own to solve problems and get the job done, and can avoid offending the politicians and administrators. Must have a lot of patience in dealing with a lot of personalities. Independent soul, who does not blindly take direction from unqualified others.
2. Must be able to take a lot of criticism from all sides about his job, and the 2 cents everyone wants to put in about his work.
3. Inquisitive mind, one who is trying to constantly learn to better his knowledge and his job.
4. Tenacious, will stick with a problem until it is solved.
5. Highly observant of everything around him. Has a keen grasp of the obvious.
6. Keeps good records and logs.
7. Seeks expert knowledge when needed.
8. Not afraid of hard, messy work. Likes "hands-on" work.
9. One who realizes the job is never done, changes daily, and requires constant attention. Not afraid of long hours of work, including weekends and holidays.
10. One who delights in a job well done, no matter what others may say around him.
11. IQ above average.
12. Can multitask.
13. Is a true scientist, seeking knowledge and answers, and willing to share his findings with others.
14. Abhors the BS of politics and wants to be left out of political messes.
15. Honest and straightforward in his dealings with all.
16. Seeks to do the right thing. Will treat his wards (tank occupants) well.
17. Enthusiastic about his work.
18. A doer, not a whiner waiting for someone else to fix the problem.
19. Thrives on finding answers.
20. Dependable, will get the job done.
21. Responsible in all ways.
22. Patient, can withstand abuse and attacks from others who think they know how to do it better.
23. Educated in disease control.
24. Any other traits that lead to a good aquarium manager.

CAREER OPTIONS

Those that have training in aquarium management can have various career options, e.g., working at: public aquarium, pet store, biological supply house, aquaculture farm, college (as a researcher or teacher), zoo, state or federal agency, junior college, private laboratory or business, casino aquarium, environmental organization, theme park, etc.

See these articles also:

Aquarist Interest…… http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/literature/Lawler_Interest_Tree.html

Tank checks……. http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Lawler_Daily_Tank_Checks.html

And most of my other articles.

Author Information must remain with article.