Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care

Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care Overview

Build practical aquarium maintenance, fish care and aquatic animal welfare knowledge with the Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care. This online aquarium and fish care course is designed to help learners understand the essentials of maintaining aquariums, caring for different fish species, managing freshwater and marine tanks, using filtration systems, treating aquarium water and supporting healthy aquatic environments.

Whether you are interested in keeping fish as a hobby, working in a pet shop, supporting an aquarium business, caring for tropical freshwater fish, or developing knowledge for animal care and aquatic maintenance roles, this Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care provides a structured introduction to key fish care and aquarium management topics.

The course covers important topics such as life-sustaining fish care, aquarium setup, fish care tips, African carp, angelfish, Hemigrammus, barbs, Brachydanio, Callichthyidae, carp, catfish, fancy fish, tropical freshwater fish, marine fish, mollies, guppies, Nannostomus, Pomacentridae, Puntius, silver dollar fish, tetra fish, filtration, water treatment and aquarium maintenance.

Throughout the course, you will learn how to:

• Understand how aquariums are maintained and managed
• Recognise the care needs of different fish species
• Develop awareness of freshwater, tropical and marine fish care
• Understand the importance of water quality in aquarium health
• Explore the role of filtration in maintaining a safe aquarium environment
• Learn how feeding, tank setup and regular maintenance support healthier fish
• Build awareness of aquarium care choices, support needs and maintenance routines
• Develop foundational knowledge for aquarium care, pet shop support and aquatic animal care pathways

This Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care course is suitable for beginners, fish keepers, pet shop learners, aquarium assistants, animal care learners and anyone interested in aquarium care, tropical fish and aquatic animal wellbeing.

• › Last Audited and Updated: 30th July 2026

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care, learners will be able to:

• Understand the foundations of aquarium care and fish wellbeing.
• Recognise the basic needs of aquarium fish.
• Identify different fish species and their general care requirements.
• Understand the importance of aquarium setup and maintenance.
• Develop awareness of tropical freshwater and marine fish care.
• Recognise the role of filtration in maintaining aquarium water quality.
• Understand basic water treatment principles for aquarium care.
• Develop awareness of caring for carp, catfish, barbs, guppies, mollies and tetra fish.
• Recognise common aquarium care choices and support needs.
• Understand the importance of regular tank maintenance.
• Build practical knowledge for pet care, aquarium support and animal care pathways.

Who is This Course For

This Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care is ideal for:

• Beginners interested in aquarium care
• Fish keeping hobbyists
• Pet shop assistants and learners
• Animal care learners
• Aquarium maintenance beginners
• Tropical fish enthusiasts
• Marine aquarium learners
• Garden centre or aquatic retail learners
• People interested in freshwater fish care
• Anyone who wants to understand fish care and aquarium maintenance

This course is suitable for learners who want to gain beginner-friendly aquarium knowledge before progressing into:

• Aquarium maintenance
• Pet shop support roles
• Animal care work
• Aquatic retail roles
• Fishkeeping practice
• Further animal care or aquatic studies

Why Enrol in This Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care?

This course is designed to help learners build a strong foundation in aquarium management, fish care and aquatic wellbeing.

Benefits of this course include:

• CPD Accredited Aquarium and Fish Care Training
• 100% Online and Self-Paced Learning
• Covers Aquarium Basics and Fish Care Needs
• Includes Freshwater and Tropical Fish Care Topics
• Covers Marine Fish and Fancy Fish Awareness
• Includes Aquarium Filtration and Water Treatment
• Supports Knowledge of Different Fish Species
• Useful for Pet Shop, Aquarium, Animal Care and Aquatic Retail Pathways
• Flexible Study from Any Device
• Career-Focused Curriculum for Fish Care and Aquarium Maintenance

Career Opportunities

Completing the Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care can support learners who want to explore opportunities in pet care, aquarium maintenance, aquatic retail, animal care and fishkeeping support. The knowledge gained from this course can help learners understand aquarium setup, fish species, water treatment, filtration and general fish care responsibilities.

Potential career opportunities include:

• Aquarium Assistant

Support aquarium care tasks, tank maintenance, fish feeding, water checks and general aquatic animal care.

Average salary: £18,000 to £25,000

• Aquarist Pathway Learner

Use aquarium and fish care knowledge as a foundation before progressing into practical aquarist training and hands-on aquatic animal care.

Average salary: £19,000 to £28,000 depending on setting, experience and responsibilities

• Animal Care Worker

Care for animals in pet shops, rescue centres, kennels, sanctuaries or related animal care environments.

Average salary: £21,000 to £24,000

• Pet Shop Assistant

Support customers with pet care advice, animal care products, stock handling, fish food, aquarium products and basic fishkeeping guidance.

Average salary: £19,000 to £27,000

• Aquatic Retail Assistant

Help customers choose aquarium supplies, fish care products, tanks, filters, foods and basic aquatic equipment.

Average salary: £19,000 to £27,000

• Fish Care Assistant

Support daily fish care by helping with feeding routines, tank cleanliness, water quality awareness and aquarium maintenance.

Average salary: £18,000 to £25,000

• Aquarium Maintenance Assistant

Assist with cleaning tanks, checking filters, supporting water treatment routines and maintaining healthy aquarium environments.

Average salary: £18,000 to £26,000

• Garden Centre Aquatics Assistant

Support aquatic product displays, fish care products, pond supplies, customer enquiries and basic aquatic retail services.

Average salary: £19,000 to £27,000

• Self-Employed Aquarium Maintenance Pathway Learner

Use this course as a foundation before gaining hands-on experience and offering aquarium cleaning, setup or maintenance support.

Average salary: Varies depending on clients, location, service type, pricing and experience

Please note:

This course provides foundation-level aquarium and fish care knowledge. Professional aquarist, animal care or aquatic retail roles may require hands-on experience, animal welfare knowledge, workplace training and employer-specific requirements. Learners interested in advanced aquatic animal care should consider further practical training and supervised experience.

Assessment Method

The Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care is assessed through an online assessment process.

After completing the course chapters, learners may be required to complete:

• A multiple-choice assessment
• An online test
• Knowledge-based questions related to the course topics

The assessment helps learners review key areas such as:

• Aquarium basics
• Fish care needs
• Freshwater fish care
• Tropical fish care
• Marine fish care
• Aquarium filtration
• Water treatment
• Fish species awareness
• Aquarium maintenance
• General fish wellbeing

Learners can complete the assessment online at their own pace, making the process flexible and convenient.

Eligibility Requirements

This Professional Diploma in Aquarium and Fish Care is open to learners from different academic and professional backgrounds.

No previous aquarium or animal care experience is required.

This course is suitable for learners who want to:

• Develop introductory fish care knowledge
• Understand aquarium maintenance basics
• Learn about freshwater and tropical fish care
• Improve personal fishkeeping confidence
• Prepare for pet shop or aquatic retail support roles
• Explore animal care and aquarium-related pathways
• Build confidence in maintaining aquarium environments

Entry Requirements

• Age Requirement: Learners should be aged 16 or above.
• Academic Background: No formal academic qualification is required.
• Animal Care Interest: An interest in fish care, aquariums, aquatic animals or pet care is recommended.
• Practical Awareness: A willingness to learn about aquarium maintenance, feeding routines and water quality is helpful.
• Language Proficiency: A good understanding of English is helpful for following the course materials.
• Device Requirement: Learners will need access to a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection.
• Study Commitment: Learners should be prepared to complete the online lessons and assessment independently.
• Professional Awareness: Learners should understand that aquarium and animal care roles may require practical experience, animal welfare awareness and workplace-specific training.

Why Choose Us

• Affordable, engaging and high-quality online learning materials
• Beginner-friendly aquarium and fish care course content
• Practical knowledge for fish care, aquarium setup and tank maintenance
• Flexible study through a user-friendly online platform
• Access course materials from mobile, tablet or desktop
• Self-paced learning suitable for busy learners
• Efficient online assessment process
• CPD accredited certificate included
• Career development and further study opportunities
• Helpful student support via email