Aquatic Animal Health Professional
Snapshot
Aquatic animal health professionals diagnose, prevent and treat diseases, injuries and dysfunctions of aquatic animals by implementing appropriate sampling protocols. They supervise the use of medicines, including vaccines, and collect data on fish health, making regular reports to the appropriate personnel. They may provide care to a wide range of aquatic animals or specialise in the treatment of a particular group or in a particular speciality area. They may provide advice, support and training to farm staff on best practice with regard to the health and welfare of the cultured organisms.
Aquatic animal health professionals are essential for maintaining the health and welfare of aquatic animals in various settings, including aquaculture farms, research facilities, zoos, and public aquariums. Your work involves a combination of scientific expertise, practical skills, and meticulous record-keeping. You’ll be responsible for identifying health issues, implementing preventative measures, and administering treatments, often collaborating with other professionals to ensure optimal care.
- • Diagnose diseases and injuries in aquatic animals through observation, sampling, and laboratory analysis.
- • Develop and implement preventative health programs, including vaccination schedules and biosecurity protocols.
- • Administer medications and treatments, adhering to strict guidelines and regulations.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Health professionals — 68 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France and 7 more.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $130,100 2025-05 | +9.6% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +16.1% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £45,362 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for aquatic animal health professional
The outlook for aquatic animal health professional reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could aquatic animal health professional change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- conserve natural resources
- follow safety precautions in fishery operations
- implement scientific decision making in healthcare
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- conduct research on flora
- conduct research on fauna
- analyse work-related written reports
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
- collect biological data
- maintain aquaculture treatment records
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Healthcare & Human Services
A typical day as an aquatic animal health professional
09 09:00 · Morning analyse fish samples for diagnosis
10 10:30 · Mid-morning collect fish samples for diagnosis
12 12:00 · Midday communicate specialised veterinary information
14 14:00 · Afternoon conduct fish mortality studies
15 15:30 · Late afternoon conduct research on fauna
17 17:00 · Wrap-up conduct research on flora
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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conduct fish mortality studies
Collect fish mortality data. Identify causes of mortality and provide solutions .
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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perform field research
Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.
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conduct fish populations studies
Study captive fish populations to determine survival, growth, and migration.
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prepare fish treatment plan
Prepare health treatment plans to meet specific fish disease requirements.
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carry out fish disease prevention measures
Carry out disease prevention measures for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans for land-based and water-based aquaculture facilities.
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administer treatments to fish
Administer treatments to fish, including vaccination of fish by immersion and injection, continually monitoring fish for signs of stress.
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treat fish diseases
Identify the symptoms of fish diseases. Apply appropriate measures to treat or eliminate diagnosed conditions.
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monitor treated fish
Monitor treated fish to evaluate the effect of treatments.
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prepare fish treatment facilities
Prepare fish treatment facilities to effectively isolate contaminated fish during treatment. Control the application of treatments to avoid contaminating other stock, containers and the wider environment.
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control aquatic production environment
Assess the impact of biological conditions such as algae and fouling organisms by managing water intakes, catchments and oxygen use.
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monitor fish health status
Monitor the health of fish, based on feeding and general behaviour. Interpret environmental parameters and analyse mortalities.
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inspect fish stock
Collect and examine fish to evaluate the health of fish stock.
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monitor fish mortality rates
Monitor fish mortalities and assess possible causes.
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preserve fish samples for diagnosis
Collect and preserve larval, fish and mollusc samples or lesions for diagnosis by fish disease specialists.
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send samples to laboratory
Forward collected samples to the concerned laboratory, following strict procedures related to the labeling and tracking of the information on the samples.
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collect fish samples for diagnosis
Collect fish and shellfish samples for diagnosis by fish diseases specialists.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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collect biological data
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
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use specialised equipment
Use specialised equipment such as electron microscope, telemetry, digital imaging analysis, global positioning systems, and computer modelling in studies and analyses of production methodology.
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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
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write routine reports
Compose regular reports by writing clear observations on the monitored processes in a respective field.
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write work-related reports
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
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conduct research on flora
Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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conduct research on fauna
Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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communicate specialised veterinary information
Communicate the relevance of and the advances in the area of specialisation to general practice veterinarians and to non-veterinarians.
applied zoology
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
botany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
fish anatomy
The study of the form or morphology of fish species.
fish biology
The study of fish, shellfish or crustacean organisms, categorized into many specialised fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origins and distribution.
microbiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- aquatic species
- biology
- biosecurity
- biotechnology in aquaculture
- ecology
- fish identification and classification
- laboratory techniques
Path to become an aquatic animal health professional
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
637 programmes in 28 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 51 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Koulutuskeskus Salpaus · Finland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) · New Zealand
Master of Science in Biology
Universiteit Gent · Belgium
Post-Diploma Certificate in Aquatic Animal Health & Nutrition (PDC1 in Specialist Diploma in Aquaculture Management & Technology)
Singapore
These are 6 of 688.
Sources
- 1. Source: Opintopolku.fi (Finnish National Agency for Education)
- 2. Source: Study with New Zealand (studywithnewzealand.govt.nz), Education New Zealand. Copyright in the material is owned by Education New Zealand (All content (c) Education New Zealand). Listings are provided by the education providers, are for information and promotional purposes only, and are not endorsed by Education New Zealand; each provider is responsible for its own content.
- 3. Source: Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (students.kuccps.ac.ke).
- 4. Source: Study in Serbia, an initiative of Foundation Tempus (bazaobrazovanja.rs).
- 5. Source: Hogeronderwijsregister, Flemish government (hogeronderwijsregister.be). Flemish Community of Belgium only.
- 6. Contains information from MySkillsFuture Course Run accessed on 2026-09-28 from data.gov.sg which is made available under the terms of the Singapore Open Data Licence version 1.0 (https://data.gov.sg/open-data-licence)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does aquatic animal health professional fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What types of aquatic animals might I work with?
What kind of training or education is required to become an aquatic animal health professional?
How does this role contribute to sustainability?
How much does Aquatic Animal Health Professional pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data