ZOE • Owner Head Fish Nerd Keeper of the Chaos
If you’ve ever wondered who’s responsible for turning Bay Aquatics into the fishy paradise it is today… it’s Zoe. She’s been keeping fish longer than TikTok has existed, around 25 years of ponds, goldfish, tropicals, marines, reefs, and pretty much anything that swims (except koi in NZ… don’t worry, those were only in the UK!).
Zoe has bred thousands of fish over the years, from lemon tetras to full-blown breeding projects, and has a brain full of aquatic knowledge:
She’s seen it all, fixed it all, and probably stayed up way too late doing it.
If you need help with your tank, stocking advice, or want to chat fish until closing time, Zoe’s your person, just don’t ask her how many aquariums she has at home. (The answer is always “not enough.”)
Tom • Owner Manager of Mayhem Master of All Things Fishy & Technical
Tom is the guy who somehow knows everything about fish, tanks, plumbing, filtration, and that weird technical thing you didn’t even know existed.
With 30+ years of fishkeeping behind him (and a professional background as a trained zookeeper, because of course he is), Tom has cared for just about every type of aquarium setup imaginable:
🐠 Freshwater — cold + tropical
🌊 Marine — cold water + tropical
🪸 Reef tanks — from nano to monster builds
🧊 And probably a few tanks he forgot he even owned
Need someone who can set up a tank from scratch, design custom plumbing, troubleshoot anything, or understand quarantine systems like a science lab?
That’s Tom.
He runs our quarantine facility like a well-oiled (and very clean) machine, making sure every fish is healthy, happy, and ready for its new home.
Basically, if it swims, filters, pumps, cycles, drains, or needs wiring… Tom’s your guy.
Richard Fish Room Commander Aquascape Artist CO₂ Technician Extraordinaire
Richard is our full-time in-store legend, the man behind the spotless fish room, the crystal-clear tanks, and the aquascapes that make customers say, “Okay… now I need that at home.”
Armed with a BASc in Biodiversity Management and a Diploma in Marine Environmental Management, Richard brings a serious level of science and skill to Bay Aquatics. If it grows, breathes, bubbles, or photosynthesises, he knows exactly how to make it thrive.
His specialties include:
🌱 Aquascaping that looks straight out of a competition
💨 CO₂ systems — setup, tuning, troubleshooting, wizardry
🌿 Aquarium plants — from easy beginner stems to stubborn rarities
🐟 Fish room care — he keeps everything immaculate and healthy
He’s the guy you want if you’re starting a planted tank, struggling with algae, or aiming for that “magazine cover” aquascape.
Just be warned: he might inspire you to upgrade your tank… again.
Lily
Tank Collector
Oddball Fan
Customer Chat Champion
Lily is our weekend superstar, the one who brings the energy, the knowledge, and the “okay but hear me out, you need this fish” enthusiasm every Saturday and Sunday.
With a house full of tanks (seriously, we’ve stopped counting), Lily has hands-on experience with everything from tiny schooling tetras to the big personalities, bichirs, eels, and pufferfish included. If it has fins, a funny face, or attitude issues, she’s probably kept it.
She’s worked in pet stores before, but her true passion is talking fish with customers, helping beginners choose their first tank, matching people to the perfect species, and chatting about the weird and wonderful fish of the world.
Waffles
Professional Morale Booster
Snack Inspector
Security in Training
Waffles is the newest (and smallest) member of the Bay Aquatics team, a dappled brown dachshund with big eyes, tiny legs, and an even bigger personality. She may not know much about filtration systems or water chemistry (yet), but she makes up for it with enthusiasm, cuddles, and excellent customer service.
Her responsibilities include:
🐶 Greeting customers with maximum cuteness
🐕 Supervising the team (from ground level)
💤 Taking strategic naps in sunbeams
Waffles will soon begin her official role as Chief Happiness Officer, keeping the team smiling and customers saying “Awwwww!” the moment they walk in.
She may be tiny, but she’s already a fan favourite, and yes, she absolutely knows it.