Aquarist Jobs
Aquarists are the backbone of any public aquarium. They're responsible for the daily care of aquatic animals, from tropical fish and invertebrates to sharks, sea turtles, and marine mammals, and for maintaining the complex life support systems that keep exhibits thriving.
We list aquarist openings from public aquariums, zoos with aquatic exhibits, marine research facilities, and private collections across the country and beyond. New positions are added regularly, so bookmark this page or check back often.
What Does an Aquarist Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities vary by institution, but typically include:
- Water quality management: Testing and adjusting salinity, pH, temperature, and filtration systems to keep animals healthy and exhibits stable.
- Animal husbandry: Feeding, health monitoring, behavioral observation, and detailed record-keeping for every animal in your care.
- Exhibit maintenance: Cleaning tanks, aquascaping, managing algae, and ensuring habitats look naturalistic for both animals and visitors.
- Dive operations: In-tank cleaning, feeding presentations, and animal health checks via scuba. Most aquarists dive multiple times per week.
- Guest engagement: Interpreting exhibits, answering visitor questions, and occasionally leading behind-the-scenes tours or feeding demonstrations.
Entry-level positions often carry titles like Aquarist I or Assistant Aquarist, while senior roles may include Lead Aquarist, Curator of Fishes, or Director of Animal Care.
How to Become an Aquarist
Most aquarists start with a bachelor's degree in marine biology, zoology, or aquatic science, but the degree alone won't get you hired. This is a field where hands-on experience matters more than almost anything else. The most common path is to complete one or more aquarium internships, build up volunteer hours, and earn your scuba certification before applying for your first Aquarist I position.
The aquarium world is small. The people you work alongside during an internship are often the same people who will hire you later, or recommend you to a colleague at another facility. Start building those relationships early.
Browse our current listings below, or use the search to find positions in your area. New opportunities are added regularly, so check back often or join our newsletter to get notified of new postings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aquarist Jobs
What qualifications do I need to become an aquarist?
Most aquarist positions require a bachelor's degree in marine biology, aquatic science, zoology, or a related field. Scuba certification is almost always required, with many institutions preferring AAUS scientific diver certification. Beyond the degree, hands-on experience is critical. Completing one or more internships or logging significant volunteer hours at an aquarium will put you ahead of most applicants.
Do aquarists need scuba certification?
Yes. Nearly all aquarist roles involve regular diving in exhibits for cleaning, feeding, and animal health assessments. Get certified before you start applying if you can.
What does a typical day look like for an aquarist?
Most aquarists start the day with water quality testing and morning rounds to check on animal health and behavior. From there, the day usually involves food preparation and feeding, tank cleaning, life support system checks, and record-keeping. Depending on the facility, you might also dive in exhibits, run enrichment activities, give public presentations, or assist with veterinary procedures. No two days are exactly the same.
What's the difference between an aquarist and a marine biologist?
Aquarists focus on the hands-on daily care of aquatic animals in a captive setting: feeding, water quality, exhibit maintenance, and husbandry. Marine biologists focus more on research, studying ocean ecosystems, animal behavior, and conservation science. In practice there's significant overlap, especially at aquariums where aquarists contribute to research projects and many hold marine biology degrees. If you're not sure which path suits you, check out our marine biologist jobs page for a comparison.
How competitive are aquarist jobs?
Very. The aquarium industry is small and positions don't open up often, especially at well-known institutions. A single Aquarist I opening can attract 100 or more applicants. The candidates who get hired almost always have internship experience, strong references from within the industry, and scuba certification already in hand. Volunteering, networking at conferences, and being willing to relocate all improve your chances significantly.
Can I become an aquarist without a degree?
It's rare but not impossible. A few facilities will consider candidates without a four-year degree if they have extensive hands-on experience, such as years of work in the aquarium trade, professional dive experience, or a strong background in aquaculture. That said, the vast majority of job postings list a bachelor's degree as a minimum requirement. If you're serious about this career, a degree in marine biology, zoology, or aquatic science is the safest route.
