I need a change!!

[Waverider]

Waverider,
I'm looking into getting a job as an aquarist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium one of these days. I'm currently getting my Master's degree in Ichthyology so I'd say I'm pretty well qualified. (Although it's very possible for people with advanced ichthyology degrees not to know the first thing about keeping fish alive, especially if their research was in genetics or theoretical population modelling or something).

For most of those jobs, though, you only need a Bachelor's, preferably in Biology. From there, you can apply for a student internship. It's hard to get a full-time position at large scale aquaria unless you "know someone" because those jobs are so sought-after (like zookeeping positions, too). For me, those people are the aquarists that I've worked with on fish collecting trips.

If you're REALLY motivated, there is an Aquarium Science program at Oregon Coast Community College. They teach you how to maintain aquaria on large scales and then probably have contacts in the industry for when you graduate. It's a two-year Associate's degree.

hope that helps, or at least gets some thoughts going in your head

WOW.....Thank You. That was quite an answer!

Really gave me some avenues to look at. Makes sense that there is stiff competition for the "large-scale" aquariums. That seems like a sweet job.

We have a guy that comes into the clinic and takes care of the 150 gallon tank we have in the waiting area. Maybe I will talk to him and find out what how he got into it.

 

[fish_freak]

Huh theres a ton of aquauriums here in the north east. You guys should look out this way im betting the competition might not be as stiff. Connecticut is the third smallest state and we have 2 lol.

 

[cohazard]

I visited the "Aquarium of the Bay" on a pier in San Francisco. It was a very nice and small public aquarium. The best part was the deepwater sharks they had.

The place seemed kinda empty..... maybe they needed a better marketing manager and that could be your ticket into a curator position? Okay that's my plan, don't steal it.... (<that's a pretty good sarcasm smiley...)

 

[wesleydnunder]

Waverider, you can also go a different route and do your own aquarium service.

I started my aquarium business almost 2 years ago and it's going well. I do maintenance for people who don't want to mess with it but still want to look at the pretty fish. I also sell and install new systems. The business wasn't that hard to start, but a lot of work getting the word out.

Mark

 

[UncaBret]

Waverider, you can also go a different route and do your own aquarium service.

I started my aquarium business almost 2 years ago and it's going well. I do maintenance for people who don't want to mess with it but still want to look at the pretty fish. I also sell and install new systems. The business wasn't that hard to start, but a lot of work getting the word out.

Mark

I would LOVE to do that! I'm sick of the smells of sweat and rubber.
How did you get started?

 

[wesleydnunder]

I took out a DBA at the county courthouse (actually, it's in my wife's name), then got a tax number at the state comptroller's office (for paying sales tax).

After that I had 1,000 business cards made, bought a couple dozen of the little desktop card caddies, and put cards in every petshop, lfs and veterinarians' office that would let me. One of the vets is a reef keeper and grilled me pretty hard on general knowledge before she would let me place cards on her front counter. Now she refers customers to me. I also put adds in the local newspapers. I've yet to put an ad in the phonebook but that's next.
I've also made flyers, brochures and a portfolio of my work to take to bids with me.

The hardest part was getting wholesalers to take me seriously without a storefront. I worked out a deal with the owner of a lps for deliveries.

Aside from that I've spent less than $ 1,000.00 on equipment. It doesn't pay all the bills yet but some day...

Mark

 

[UncaBret]

Thanks, Mark.

 

[cohazard]

i have *** fish that swims around alot touching each other yeah!

 

[plah831]

i have *** fish that swims around alot touching each other yeah!

OK, don't know how that relates to this thread... But my roommate had a *** dog. He literally liked being mounted by other males and was never happier than when I brought home two kittens who tried to nurse on him!

 

[cohazard]

OK, don't know how that relates to this thread... But my roommate had a *** dog. He literally liked being mounted by other males and was never happier than when I brought home two kittens who tried to nurse on him!

Sorry about that, I knew it would happen sooner or later. Apparently, my room mate (who is 2 years older than me) is an idiot. I set the website to "recognize" his computer since I hate having to log in every time.

Lesson learned, my apologies to anyone who was offended by his childish behavior.