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How to Become an Aquatic Animal Veterinarian

The field of aquatic animal veterinary medicine is diverse, with many opportunities for veterinarians to contribute to aquatic animal health and conservation through various unique animal care roles. Aquatic animal veterinarians are responsible for the medical management and welfare of aquatic animals; under professional care in zoological facilities and aquaria, free-ranging in rehabilitation centers and government wildlife agencies, and in aquaculture for food and ornamental fish production, among others. Aquatic animal veterinarians are also actively engaged in scientific research and wildlife conservation efforts around the globe. Veterinarians can follow various paths to achieve highly successful careers in aquatic animal medicine, however, several common recommendations can be shared to help orient the next generation of aquatic animal health professionals.

While most practical aquatic animal veterinary experience is attained after becoming a veterinarian, there are multiple ways to begin preparing for a career in aquatic medicine early on. First, it is advantageous to gain general animal care and husbandry experience with a variety of exotic terrestrial and aquatic animal species, which can be accomplished through volunteer opportunities or jobs at zoological facilities or aquaria, wildlife rehabilitation institutions, exotic animal veterinary hospitals, or with scientific researchers, among others. Next, undergraduate prerequisite courses in the core sciences and a bachelor’s degree are necessary to gain acceptance into veterinary school.

A doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM) requires four years of veterinary school training and emphasizes the medical care of domestic animal species. It is critical that aspiring aquatic animal veterinarians first develop a solid foundation of medical knowledge and clinical experience with domestic animals before practicing on exotic species, which is achieved through veterinary school training, post-graduate internships, and clinical practice with domestic animals. Veterinarians can attend any veterinary school in the world and become aquatic animal veterinarians, however, some schools may offer supplemental aquatic animal courses or may be located in areas that provide improved access to local aquatic animal opportunities. Veterinary students can get their feet wet in aquatic medicine by pursuing job shadow experiences with aquatic animal veterinarians, fourth-year veterinary school externships at aquatic animal institutions, exotic animal elective courses, and aquatic veterinary summer courses.

Aquatic animal medicine is a highly specialized field and as a result, most veterinarians have clinical experience and specialized training with aquatic animals before securing a permanent job in the field. Following veterinary school, aquatic animal veterinary experience is attained through a combination of on-the-job experiential work with mentorship by experts in the field and/ or formal training in aquatic veterinary internships and residencies. Aquatic animal specialty internships are one to two-year programs offered by aquatic animal care institutions to provide veterinarians with focused training in aquatic animal medicine. Veterinarians can also become board-certified specialists in aquatic and zoological medicine by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM), with advanced training in three-year residency programs or an experiential path to ACZM specialty certification. Alternatively, some veterinarians who share a passion for aquatic species and have specialized in other veterinary disciplines such as radiology, ophthalmology, anesthesia, dentistry, reproduction, and pathology, have also contributed greatly to the field of aquatic animal medicine and are notable alternative paths to work with aquatic animals.

Aspiring aquatic animal veterinarians are encouraged to discuss career questions with veterinarians in the field for further guidance and can attend aquatic, wildlife, and zoological medicine conferences (IAAAM, AAZV, WDA) for additional information and career networking opportunities.

Please refer to the ‘Aquatic Animal Medicine Educational Opportunities’ section below for specific information on the educational opportunities referenced in this article.

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Aquatic Animal Medicine Educational Opportunities (updated August 20, 2024)

There are many opportunities for veterinarians to expand their knowledge base and gain clinical experience in aquatic animal medicine. Aquatic animal veterinary courses, externships, internships, and residencies provide veterinarians with specialized training in the medical care and welfare of aquatic species.

Aquatic Animal Medicine Courses

Courses in aquatic animal medicine are available for veterinary students and veterinarians. Each program is unique in the aquatic veterinary topics covered and experiences offered to students, however, all are meant to serve as an introduction to the field of aquatic animal medicine.

Aquatic Veterinary Externships

Veterinary externships, also known as preceptorships, provide fourth-year veterinary students the opportunity to assist aquatic animal veterinarians for 3-6 weeks to gain exposure to the field. Most facilities will offer veterinary externships annually, with program and application details often found on the facility’s website.

Aquatic Veterinary Internships

Veterinary internships or fellowships are designed for graduate veterinarians to spend one to two years working under the mentorship of staff veterinarians at aquatic animal institutions. Only select organizations offer veterinary internships each year and program details are posted at the time the institution is hiring for the position. The programs that have previously offered aquatic veterinary internships and are most likely to have available positions in the future are listed below.

Aquatic and Zoological Veterinary Residencies

Veterinary residency programs provide three years of advanced training in aquatic and zoological medicine and are designed to facilitate specialty board certification by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). Each residency program is unique, however, several programs have a focus on aquatic animal medicine. Residencies with a minimum of one year of aquatic animal medicine training in their curriculum are listed below.

For additional information on American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) compliant residencies please visit: https://www.aczm.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=366916&module_id=49007

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