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Science jobs are a hot topic. North Carolina, in particular, has a growing population of science and technology firms that need knowledgeable workers – scientists in every field that can help our state move forward in the coming years. Experts who push the boundaries of current science knowledge while showing an extreme respect for the Earth and environmental needs. Science evolves quickly, as do the jobs that keep us competitive in a modern market society. In this new blog series from the NC Science Trail, we highlight current workers in various science fields around the state so you get a better understanding of what different types of scientists do and the types of jobs that are currently available out there. If you’re looking to find your science passion, this is a great resource to follow.
Here we highlight our first science expert: Bethany Rouse, an aquarist at the Greensboro Science Center. She tells us all about her job at GSC, and the extreme joy that working with animals can bring.
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Written by Bethany Rouse, Greensboro Science Center.
I am an Aquarist. A Quarantine Aquarist to be exact. I help care for aquatic animals at the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) aquarium, but my position here isn’t exactly your typical Quarantine Aquarist’s position, and that’s probably the thing I love most. A lot of facilities, including GSC, have their Quarantine Aquarist in charge of the animals that need extra attention behind the scenes. Sometimes that involves animals that may have acquired an injury/illness, may be new to the facility, or even those who may have new exhibits or facilities destined for them. Quarantine Aquarists do their best to predict the future. By that, I mean that most of the time we know which animals are going to which systems; perhaps we have a new animal arriving at the facility, so I must prepare the perfect home for that new resident. But the unexpected does happen, and that’s where I come in. An emergency aquarium system must be ready at a moment’s notice for an animal that needs assistance, so I am always prepared for that possibility, and I really love that part of my job!
As a Quarantine Aquarist, it is important that I always have systems ready to go for any animals that may need unexpected care, anytime of the day, week, month, or year. I keep vacant systems, without any animals living there, “cycling” all the time. That means that the system is constantly going through the nitrogen cycle, even though no animals are in the tank. Beneficial bacteria are incredibly important to this process, and they are known as nitrifying bacteria. These organisms consume ammonia (NH3; usually from animal waste) and break it down into nitrite (NO2). Then over time, the nitrite is further broken down into nitrate (NO3). Nitrifying bacteria are the “heroes who don’t wear capes.” Without prepping aquatic systems first with nitrifying bacteria before introducing animals, we could have potential issues, such as “New Tank” syndrome. This is where an accumulation of deadly ammonia and nitrite kills the animals because the beneficial bacteria haven’t yet established themselves in the filtration system, and can’t do their job effectively. This can also lead to so many other problems down the line. With that being said, another responsibility that I have here at the GSC aquarium is managing our biofarms, for both salt water and fresh water systems. Biofarm systems are maintained all the time and have a more concentrated level of nitrifying bacteria “cycling.” This allows us to move biomedia (prepared water that is already seeded with nitrifying bacteria) to any system needed if an aquatic or marine animal is in need.
Through this work at the GSC I have become very familiar with the nitrogen cycle and I love to share this information with anyone who will listen. I also love to share all the research I have read as I have learned to provide the best care for a huge array of animals that come under my care. I have worked with very small species of pipefish, such as bluestriped pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus), Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), as well as the white-blotched river stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi) and the foureyed fish (Anablep anablep), to just name a few.
The white-blotched river stingray, Papaya (above), was moved to a special tank for protection when we learned that she was going to have pups! Our spiny lobster (right) molts 1-2 times per year, leaving him a bit soft and vulnerable. During this molt we move him to his own tank until his new exoskeleton has hardened from calcium in the water.
So you may be wondering what things about my job are not so typical as an aquarist at the GSC? Another one of my interesting responsibilities is that I do the food inventory for the aquarium. I assist with a majority of the food ordering for the aquarium animals, as well as some of the animals in the zoo. Food inventory may not seem super excited to some people, but I think it’s fascinating! I know all the items of food that we receive, so I’ve learned a lot about the nutritional value that various foods hold for our animals’ dietary needs. Not only do we have a lot of carnivores in our care, but we also have herbivores and omnivores. This means I have to be familiar with the needs of meet-eaters, plant-eaters, and those organisms that eat a combination of food types, such as crabs (who seem to eat anything!). With all the different types of food we receive at the GSC, I have learned about proper handling, storing, and thawing of the food we provide for so many different animals. It’s just another way that I can help care for our residents at the GSC.
There are so many amazing things that are part of my job at the GSC aquarium that it doesn’t all fit on one page! Being part of the aquarium team here means I get the chance to work with all the animals in our care. In addition to my aquarium work, from time to time I do get to work closely with our titis and tamarins (both small monkeys from South America), as well as Indie, our two-toed sloth. I am a part of our dive team and our shark exhibit feed/training team. I assist with penguin feeds, assessing the facility’s water quality, and so much more. Recently, a lot of my time has been dedicated to the care of our white-blotched river stingrays. Our adult female successfully birthed two more pups this past May, so with four feeds a day plus training with “Mom,” I get to spend a lot of time learning about their personalities and appreciating the uniqueness of this species of animal. No day is ever the same at the GSC, and I think that’s one of the things that makes me love my work so much. I absolutely adore all the animals I have worked with – each with their own personality to love. But I continue to learn so much each day at work and I am thankful that I get to provide the best care possible for the animals that call Greensboro Science Center their home.
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Aquarists actually have many jobs, primarily focused on making sure that the animals in their care are well-fed and have a safe home in which to live, but it’s still important to remember the fragility of the natural aquatic and marine ecosystems. Aquariums exist to teach the public about organisms and ecosystems that most people will never see in person. Working to help document and restore corals on a reef in the Florida Keys is a great way for an aquarist to help protect the natural environments that so many rare and endangered animals call home. Whenever you visit the Greensboro Science Center, or any other partner on the NC Science Trail, you are helping to bring awareness to the importance of caring for and preserving our amazing planet. If you have questions, please reach out to us at info@ncsciencetrail.org.
The post SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE OCCUPATIONS: Bethany Rouse, Aquarist, Greensboro Science Center first appeared on North Carolina Science Trail.
