Ethan Zhao ‘25

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What seems to be just a closet in a science classroom hosts our school’s Aquaterra Club. “Aquaterra was created during the beginning of my  junior year, and our club goal is to rescue, take care of, and breed aqua and terrestrial animals,” Gene Wei ‘24, one of the club’s founders, said. “I wanted to start a club related to something that the school didn’t have: raising fish. It has been a hobby of mine since I was little.” 

Using a variety of aquariums and terrariums, students in the club now host at least eight aquatic and two terrestrial species. After just starting last year, his team is now housing hundreds of small guppies, fish, geckos, and tarantulas. 

Even as they care for dozens of individual animals, the club is still seeking to expand. “One of our new projects is a goldfish pond,” Gene said. “Currently, since it is in the middle of midterms, we can’t improve on it. We are waiting until after winter break to finish the project. Essentially by the time we are done, there should be many plants and goldfish. Outside next to the chapel, there’s a small little fountain where our pond is. We will try to keep it to goldfish only, but if we find any other animals that are big and colorful, we will add them.” 

The club also has other plans in motion. 

“We want to start an aquaponics system on the third floor of Agee,” Gene said. “Currently, we are measuring the temperature to see if it is physically possible to start one.  So far it is good. Eventually, we will add a small ecosystem growing aquatic crops for the club. Aquaponics involves two systems. In one you have plants whose roots will be natural filters to remove dirt while converting CO2 to O2 for the fish. The fish will provide the plants CO2 and other nutrients the plants need, creating a self-maintaining system.”

The 30-member club meets nearly daily to care for the animals and maintain their environment. Despite the massive workload, the Aquaterra Club persists in expanding its mission to teach good environmental stewardship to students at Strake Jesuit.