In Greek, "ichthys" means "fish" and "logos" means "word", which is why it can be argued that an ichthyologist is a connoisseur of fish.
Characteristics of this profession
Specialist in ichthyology studies the evolutionary development of fish, their structure and life forms, reproduction features. Based on the data obtained, he explores various fishing methods, determines which of them are the most rational. In addition, an ichthyologist is a scientist who studies fish farming and is engaged in fish conservation activities.
It should be noted that this profession involves not only familiarization with the anatomical features of aquatic inhabitants, but also with their industrial species. Only an ichthyologist, whose profession is quite difficult, but interesting, can indicate how to properly breed fish, keep them and grow them.
It must be said that work in this direction has certain features. Consider them in more detail.
Specific professional activity of ichthyologists
These specialists conduct research that relates to the construction of dams, hydroelectric power plants or any enterprises whose activities are related touse and release of water into lakes, rivers and seas (natural water bodies).
What do people in the profession of ichthyologist do? They can work in research institutes, in industrial and floating fish canning plants, apply their knowledge while working in enterprises that specialize in fish harvesting, and also engage in scientific work.
In addition, an ichthyologist is an employee who can hold certain positions in zoos or aquariums, monitor nature reserves and facilities that belong to nature protection zones.
It should be noted that for successful professional activity, such people need to be well versed not only in ichthyology, but also have a sufficient level of knowledge in the field of geography, hydrology and botany, as well as paleozoology and climatology.
Personal qualities required for an ichthyologist
I must say right away that this profession is usually chosen by men. For effective work, you need to have excellent he alth and good sports training. What does an ichthyologist do? He studies fish that are found not only in local water bodies, but also inhabitants of the seas and oceans, which can be found not only in another region, but even in another country or continent. Therefore, such work involves long business trips and stay in the open air, living in a rather unattractive place. Not every woman is able to withstand such conditions.
If you answer the question about what an ichthyologist does, then you should mentionnot only trips to the habitats of certain fish species, but also underwater observations, which include video filming, which also requires appropriate training and skills.
Besides this, only a person who has an affinity for natural sciences and an interest in research work, as well as a love of wildlife and a certain courage, can work in this field.
What you need to work
As a rule, special equipment is not needed for the research work of an ichthyologist - it is enough to have containers with formalin and alcohol. For catching fish, they mainly take a trawl net. The researcher boards the ship and goes to the studied areas of the reservoir, after which the catching of aquatic inhabitants begins. Due to the specific shape of the trawl net, which looks like a net, the fish have no chance to get out of it.
After there is enough catch, the net is hauled aboard. The fish that was caught is laid out on a tarp and studied. Those species that are of particular interest to the ichthyologist end up in containers with fixative liquid, the rest are mainly sent to the ship's kitchen or back to the reservoir. For a more detailed study, the caught fish species are sent to a research institute.
It should be noted that an ichthyologist is a person who sometimes has to go down under water and observe the underwater world live, after which you can make the appropriate notes, so for such workyou need to have the appropriate equipment - a special diving suit, a mask, fins, gloves, oxygen tanks and a depth gauge.
How to become an ichthyologist?
The profession of an ichthyologist is a rather complicated field, so the appropriate education is mandatory. You can get a sufficient level of knowledge to become a good specialist at Lomonosov Moscow State University, after graduating from the Faculty of Biology. Here, ichthyologists are being trained, who in the future can independently conduct various scientific studies.
If you graduate from the Moscow University of Technology and Management, you can get an education as an ichthyologist, who later has the right to work in zoos, zoos and other institutions where fish are kept. You can also graduate from the Dmitrovsky Fishery College.
It should be noted that ichthyologists should be well versed in other related sciences and be able to use in their work the latest achievements in chemistry and physics, as well as special equipment for underwater research and surveys.
Ichthyologist in the field of fish farming
This specialist monitors the hydrobiological state of the reservoir, develops the necessary tasks to optimize the operation of the area that specializes in growing fish, and also develops a plan and schedules of work in accordance with the stages of development of aquatic life.
What does an ichthyologist do? It also monitors fish stocks and studies the effects of variousfactors on them, analyzes the species, age and weight composition of the catch, conducts biological research. In addition, the ichthyologist develops proposals regarding the more rational use of water bodies, the conservation and growth of fish stocks, and also establishes permits or prohibitions on fishing, takes part in the development and implementation of the latest technologies for growing commercial fish species.
Its functional responsibilities include monitoring the correct use of equipment and equipment, as well as the state of the water protection strip along the banks of reservoirs. He also oversees the implementation of certain preventive work (for example, the layout of pond beds).
What an ichthyologist should know for maximum fish stocks in reservoirs
This employee must have perfect knowledge in the field of fish farming and operation of hydraulic structures, understand pond and lake fish farming, know the features and principle of operation of various equipment and mechanisms that can be used. He must also determine the level of acclimatization of fish and their diseases, carry out the necessary veterinary and sanitary, preventive or therapeutic measures, control the quality of fish products and establish production and economic relations with other enterprises for its profitable sale.
The ichthyologist must also know the regulatory documentation for fish farming, the rules and regulations regarding labor protection and fire safety, be able to keep records and draw up reports in the prescribedOK.
The relevant qualification requirements are set for these specialists. So, to be a fish farmer of the first category, you need to have a higher ichthyological or zootechnical education, as well as work experience as a fish farmer of the II category for more than three years.
Summing up
If we draw conclusions, we can say that the ichthyologist performs the following functional tasks:
1. Carries out production and technological activities - controls the state of fishery reservoirs, is responsible for the rational use of aquatic biological resources, as well as for the quality of aquaculture objects that are grown, monitors environmental parameters and technological processes.
2. The ichthyologist carries out organizational and managerial activities - organizes the work of the team and makes managerial decisions in disputable situations, finds a compromise between various requirements (the deadline for the implementation of the relevant work, ensuring their quality and safety, setting optimal prices). It also resolves conflicts that arise during the operation of fishery facilities, organizes the management of aquatic biological resources.
3. The functional duties of an ichthyologist include research work. It analyzes the state and dynamics of various aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture objects, develops research programs for aquatic biological resources.
4. Project activity. Regardless of what an entomologist, ichthyologist or any other specialist insphere of natural sciences, priority design decisions are necessarily formulated and the main goals of the activity are determined, which should include the rational use of bioresources and their restoration.
