To advance the health and welfare of aquatic
animals in aquariums and zoos globally
e-QUARIST COURSE
WELCOME TO A NEW
ERA OF LEARNING
FOR AQUARISTS!
E-quarist course™
13 Modules (see over page for details)
Regular e-mail support
Flexibility to proceed at your own pace
Examination and Certificate of Completion
AZA Recognized Learning Partner
www.theaquariumvet.com
THE AQUARIUM VET E-quarist Course
The first four modules are core modules and designed to be studied sequentially. The time involved in reading the course
material and sitting the examination is between 15-20hours for each module, depending on prior knowledge and experience.
Module 1: FISH ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY - Examines teleost
Module 2: DISEASE CONCEPTS AND
anatomy in its wide forms as well as
DIAGNOSTICS - What factors trigger
practical physiology. To understand how
disease; stress; and the immune system.
fish survive in an aquatic environment it is
Steps to making a diagnosis. Sample
critical to maintaining their health and
collection and examination such as gill
wellbeing. Normal anatomy is critical for
biopsies. Sedation/anaesthesia of fish.
diagnostics and post-mortems (module 2).
Euthanasia. Post-mortem techniques.
Fish welfare and safe handling.
Module 3: WATER CHEMISTY &
QUALITY- Covers what it is and why it is Module 4: 1.LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS - Is
key to successful fish keeping. All water the foundation for excellent water
quality parameters (both freshwater quality. The various types of filtration
and marine) as well as water testing. available, biofiltration, ozone, and UV
Record keeping in all aspects of and their uses. Practical hydrology –
aquarium husbandry and fish pump selection etc.
transport.
Module 5: DISEASES AND
Module 6: NUTRITION AND
TREATMENTS - Examines the various
REPRODUCTION - Explains the
groups of diseases – protozoans,
components of nutrition, protein,
bacteria, fungus, virus etc. After making
carbohydrates, fats, vitamin, and minerals.
a diagnosis, how do you successfully
Types of foods, including live foods and
treat the problem using a holistic
their production. Reproduction and basic
approach? Non-infectious diseases.
genetics.
Module 7: ELASMOBRANCHS -
Module 8: INVERTEBTRATES I:
Anatomy and physiology as they differ
CEPHALOPODS AND CRUSTACEANS
from teleosts, handling, sample
Anatomy and physiology, husbandry,
techniques, disease and treatments.
and breeding, diagnostics, disease and
Shark transport, exhibit design for
treatments.
shark and reproduction including
artificial techniques.
Module 9: INVERTEBRATES II: SEA Module 10: INVERTEBRATES III:
JELLIES AND ECHINODERMS CORALS
Anatomy and physiology, husbandry, and Anatomy and physiology, husbandry, and
breeding, diagnostics, disease and breeding, diagnostics, disease and
treatments. treatments.
MODULE 21:
PENGUINS I - MODULE 22:
Applicable for all PENGUINS II - MODULE 23:
aquatic birds. Husbandry and PENGUINS III
Taxonomy of the care. Including Diagnostic
various penguin biosecurity and Procedures in
species. Anatomy and transport. penguins, their
Physiology of Behaviour, welfare Immune System
penguins. Display and enrichment, and then Diseases
design for aquatic nutrition, and Treatments.
birds. Water quality and reproduction.
life support systems.
2025 Multi-Student Annual Plans (MSAP)
To simplify the education and training of your aquarists, The Aquarium Vet has created
MSAPs.
Plan Details (US Dollars)
Annual subscription fee based on the number of students studying the
course.
Number of Students MSAP Cost per student
1-5 Students $430.00
6-10 Students $380.00
11-15 Students $355.00
16-20 Students $345.00
21-30 Students $330.00
More than 31 $305.00
Conditions of MSAP:
Maximum of four modules per student per year
All students must be from the same facility or company
If a student leaves the facility, a replacement student can be
registered within the timeframe of the Annual MSAP.
Testimonials
1. I gained a beter understanding on how important life support systems operate, and the impacts it has on
fish health. – Yvonne Chia, Resorts World Sentosa Aquarium Singapore
2. The Aquarium Vet's E-quarist Course has been of great benefit to members of the Zoological Teams at
Georgia Aquarium. The Course’s through and detailed course curriculum and ‘learn as you go’ approach to
online training has helped new aquarists and technicians gain broad insight into the principles of aquariology
and related topics. Focused modules allow the student to learns the basics and subsequently dive deeper
into more sophisticated aspects of the material. E-quarist courses serve as another tool by which to train
new members with the latest new information. – Chris CoCo, Senior Director, Georgia Aquarium (USA)
3. I love this course, even though I have been working in the industry for many years I always learn something
new and I find is a good test of my knowledge base. I can improve my aquarium by applying little tweaks here
and there and assist with the development of the team. Kate Willson, former Displays Manager, Sea Life
Sunshine Coast (Australia)
4. I gained a better understanding of every aspect of LSS and some valuable calculations that are needed
when it comes to LSS design and construction. I have done similar courses in the past ... however, this has
been such a step up and has really increased my knowledge in all areas. – Phil Robinson, The Deep Aquarium
(United Kingdom)
5. Not only did the E-quarist course set a great baseline for the type of information that we expect all of our
aquarists to have, but it also sparked on increased desire in many of our staff to investigate topics further on
their own and find ways to improve the core of our collections. The course exceeded all of our expectations,
and we could not have asked for a better return on our investment. - Allen McDowell, Director of Husbandry
& Operations, North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island (USA)
6. Overall, the e-quarist course is very well balanced, practically and scientifically, and not only suits the
needs of professional aquarium staff like myself, but also those with a keen interest. Brendon Kelly, SEA LIFE
Sydney Aquarium (Australia)
7. The nutrition module was excellent. It was very clear and very interesting/useful – Tasha K. Esaki,
Tennessee Aquarium (USA)
8. The module helped me understand and appreciate details of shark physiology and husbandry I was
previously not aware of - especially nutrition. Can definitely help in planning our shark feeding and care.
Geddes Hislop, Cayman Turtle Centre: Island Wildlife Encounter (Cayman Islands)
9. I got a much more detailed understanding of fish anatomy which
10. I think will help me understand fish health better. Also, I will have a better point of reference when
observing or performing necropsies. The information was laid out well and I walked away feeling like I learned
a great deal. Thank you. – Katherine, Virginia Aquarium (USA)
11. Overall, I see this course as being a great benefit to my career. Lauren Larese, Bass Pro Shops at the
Pyramis (USA)
