PlanetCatfish.com

Hi, I was wondering was wondering if if there were any Icthyologists on this forum who could tell me how they how they trained to do the jobs they do and what thoses jobs actually entail. I have already studied for a degree Ba(hons)Fine Art, Unfortunatly I have no real biology qualifications, The nearest qualifications being a An Advanced Diploma in water quality and filtration, and currently i am studying for an Advanced Diploma in Fish Health and Biology both of these qualifications are Awarded by Oata (the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association). What I would like to know is how I can progress further. My main interests are freshwater fish and ecosystems rather than marine ones. Ideally couses would be in scotland but i could move to other parts of the uk.
Thanks Gordon

To my knowledge there are a couple of people in these forums who might advise you but they are not from the UK so things might be different (?)

let's hope they post soon - Silurus must be the most obvious, but there are others

Hello.

To get on any kind of postgraduate research/proper science MSc/PhD, you would need a first degree in a science subject unfortunately.

To do taxonomy/systematics/fish classification, you would have to start from scratch with a science degree, an MSc and a PhD. That's about 7-8 years study there, not to mention the money!

Its a pretty hardcore discipline nowadays. A lot more complicated than you would think.

I don't think anywhere would take you on with BA no matter how keen you were, as you wouldn't have the background.

I think your best bet would be to try and get an opportunity at a public aquarium (the diploma is a good start).

You could also try the environment agency for entry level fisheries survey work etc.

Or perhaps get a job at an LFS, with a company like Maidenhead Aquatics, where you can work your way up.


Hope I haven't put a downer on things....

Sorry about the time taken to reply, thank you for your advice, it has given me a few different things to think about.
Thanks
Gordon