Since 2014, Nick Little has worked at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. Initially he served as the Aquarist at the Amazonia exhibit, and then as the Senior Life Support Systems Operator for the last 6 years.  In this role, he helps maintain all equipment related to the processing and purification of water as it pertains to the safety and well-being of various aquatic animals on exhibit throughout the zoo. Equipment such as pumps and motors, sand and bead filters, UV sterilizers, ozone generators, and even the monitoring and testing of water quality.

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Prior to that he was a Senior Aquarist at the National Aquarium in downtown D.C. before it closed its doors to the public in 2013. There he spent his time maintaining the Native Fishes Gallery where he was responsible for the acquisition/collection, care, and breeding of native fish species found across the U.S.  Nick has spent his entire professional career, spanning over 25 years, in various zoos, aquariums and the tropical wholesale fish industry.

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Nick’s background and passion for aquatics started at an early age. He enjoys designing and building custom aquatic systems, and keeping tropicals and native fish alike.