Aquarium Store Associate

Ll & Wendell Escott Inc: Aqua Land Aquarium Service Co.; Harbor Hills (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Aqua Land - Aquarium Service Co. is seeking two knowledgeable, reliable Aquarium Store Associates to join our Lomita, CA team. The role covers daily aquarium maintenance, livestock care, and store operations with 15–20 hours per week.

Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience with freshwater and saltwater systems, strong ornamental fish & coral husbandry understanding, and the ability to maintain healthy aquatic environments. Requires lifting up to 50 lbs and reliable transportation.

Qualifications

• Previous hands-on aquarium maintenance experience with freshwater and/or saltwater systems.
• Working knowledge of common ornamental fish species, including their care, diet, and compatibility.
• Basic understanding of aquarium water chemistry, water parameter testing, and the nitrogen cycle.
• Ability to recognize common signs of fish stress, disease, and abnormal behavior.
• Familiarity with aquarium filtration systems, equipment, and routine maintenance procedures.
• Ability to follow established livestock care, sanitation, and safety protocols.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to and from work.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks thoroughly, efficiently, and independently.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance on freshwater, saltwater, and reef aquarium systems.
• Clean aquarium glass, decorations, filtration equipment, and substrate.
• Perform water changes, gravel vacuuming, and filter maintenance.
• Feed fish, corals, and invertebrates according to their specific dietary requirements.
• Monitor livestock for signs of stress, disease, abnormal behavior, and injury.
• Assist with livestock acclimation, quarantine, and treatment procedures.
• Maintain proper sanitation and biosecurity practices to minimize disease transmission.
• Assist customers with livestock selection, aquarium equipment, and general aquarium care.
• Maintain clean, organized, and presentable aquarium displays and work areas.
• Assist with receiving, inspecting, acclimating, and stocking livestock shipments.
• Perform assigned tasks efficiently while assisting with additional store responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Aquarium maintenance

Freshwater & saltwater aquariums

Fish health monitoring

Customer service

Safety & sanitation

Physical ability (lift 50 lbs)

Education

Marine Biology / Biology / Aquaculture degree (in-progress)

Aquarium Science (preferred)

Tools

Protein skimmers

Canister filters

Sumps

UV sterilizers

Aquarium lighting systems

Job description

LL & Wendell Inc: Aqua Land - Aquarium Service Co.

Position: Aquarium Store Associate

Location: 2211 Pacific Coast Highway, Lomita, CA 90717

Pay: $19.75 per hour

Schedule: Part-time, 4–8-hour shifts, 15 to 20 hours per week

Job Description

Aqua Land - Aquarium Service Co. is seeking two knowledgeable, reliable, and motivated Aquarium Store Associate to join our team.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with freshwater and saltwater aquariums, a strong understanding of ornamental fish and coral husbandry, and the ability to maintain healthy aquatic environments.

This position involves daily aquarium maintenance, livestock care, water quality monitoring and general store operations.

Associates are expected to work independently and collaboratively, follow established husbandry and sanitation protocols, and demonstrate initiative throughout their shifts.

Key Responsibilities

1. Aquarium Maintenance & Husbandry

• Perform routine maintenance on freshwater, saltwater, and reef aquarium systems.
• Clean aquarium glass, decorations, filtration equipment, and substrate.
• Perform water changes, gravel vacuuming, and filter maintenance.
• Feed fish, corals, and invertebrates according to their specific dietary requirements.
• Monitor livestock for signs of stress, disease, abnormal behavior, and injury.
• Assist with livestock acclimation, quarantine, and treatment procedures.
• Maintain proper sanitation and biosecurity practices to minimize disease transmission.

2. Water Quality & Aquarium Chemistry

• Test and monitor essential water parameters, including: Ammonia (NH₃/NH₄⁺) / Nitrite (NO₂⁻) / Nitrate (NO₃⁻) / pH / Temperature / Salinity and specific gravity / Alkalinity (KH) / Calcium (Ca) / Magnesium (Mg) / Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)
• Understand the nitrogen cycle, biological filtration, and the importance of beneficial bacteria.
• Recognize abnormal water parameters and take appropriate corrective action under established protocols.
• Understand the differences between freshwater, saltwater, and reef aquarium water chemistry.

3. Fish & Coral Knowledge

• Identify common freshwater and saltwater ornamental fish species.
• Understand species-specific requirements, including diet, temperament, compatibility, and appropriate aquarium size.
• Recognize common fish diseases and parasites, including ich, velvet, fungal infections, and bacterial infections.
• Understand basic coral husbandry, including lighting, water flow, feeding, and water chemistry requirements.
• Demonstrate familiarity with major coral groups, including soft corals, LPS (Large Polyp Stony), and SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals.
• Recognize signs of coral stress, bleaching, tissue recession, and poor health.
• Understand basic care requirements for aquatic invertebrates, including shrimp, snails, crabs, and anemones.

4. Store Operations

• Assist customers with livestock selection, aquarium equipment, and general aquarium care.
• Maintain clean, organized, and presentable aquarium displays and work areas.
• Assist with receiving, inspecting, acclimating, and stocking livestock shipments.
• Perform assigned tasks efficiently while assisting with additional store responsibilities as needed.

Required (Basic) Qualifications

• Previous hands-on aquarium maintenance experience with freshwater and/or saltwater systems.
• Working knowledge of common ornamental fish species, including their care, diet, and compatibility.
• Basic understanding of aquarium water chemistry, water parameter testing, and the nitrogen cycle.
• Ability to recognize common signs of fish stress, disease, and abnormal behavior.
• Familiarity with aquarium filtration systems, equipment, and routine maintenance procedures.
• Ability to follow established livestock care, sanitation, and safety protocols.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to and from work.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks thoroughly, efficiently, and independently.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed or in-progress degree in Marine Biology, Biology, Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, or a related field.
• Previous experience working in an aquarium retail store, public aquarium, aquaculture facility, or aquatic husbandry environment.
• Experience maintaining saltwater reef aquariums and caring for live corals.
• Advanced understanding of water chemistry, including alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity, and nutrient management.
• Familiarity with fish disease identification, quarantine procedures, and appropriate treatments.
• Knowledge of aquarium equipment, including protein skimmers, canister filters, sumps, UV sterilizers, and lighting systems.
• Experience with aquatic invertebrate husbandry.
• Weekday/Weekend availability.