Welcome to

The Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club

South Africa's only active freshwater aquarium and aquascaping club. We bring together the expertise and experience of our members to share knowledge, safeguard the quality of life for aquarium organisms, and promote awareness of natural ecosystems — protecting and sharing them with future generations.

Join the Community

Discover. Learn. Share.
Grow the Hobby.

Whatever brought you to the hobby — your first betta or a decade of breeding rare cichlids — there's a place for you here.

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What drives us

Purpose, mission, and commitment — in that order

01

Our purpose

We create opportunities for our members and the wider community to learn about aquariums, aquascaping, and aquatic life, while fostering a love for natural ecosystems.

02

Our mission

To bring together the expertise and passion of our members to educate, inspire, and support both hobbyists and newcomers, ensuring the welfare of aquarium organisms and promoting environmental awareness.

03

Our commitment

We are committed to safeguarding the health and quality of life of aquarium organisms, providing guidance on best practices, and promoting conservation of natural ecosystems to protect and share them with future generations.

Jan Calitz, founder of the Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club
2018
Founded
Founded by Jan Calitz
Our Story

From a small gathering to South Africa's only active club

Founded in 2018 by Jan Calitz, ECAAC has grown into a structured organisation with an elected committee, a formal constitution and a thriving membership. It is managed entirely by volunteers who oversee meetings, events and club governance.

ECAAC is dedicated to promoting responsible freshwater fishkeeping, aquascaping, education and conservation throughout South Africa. We bring together aquarists of all experience levels to share knowledge, develop new skills and build lasting friendships through a shared passion for aquatic life. Today, ECAAC proudly stands as South Africa's only active freshwater aquarium and aquascaping club.

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Our Programs

Five ways to be recognised for what you already love doing

From crafting stunning underwater landscapes to raising your first batch of fry, there's a program that celebrates it.

Breeding Awards

Log qualified spawns, earn points by species class, and work toward Lifetime Achievement status.

Explore BAP

Specialist Breeder

For members who go deep on one category — automatic recognition once you're already logging BAP spawns.

Explore SBP

Horticulture Awards

Recognition for propagating aquatic plants, from easy runners to hard-won seed-grown species.

Explore HAP

Hall of Fame

Celebrating the club's standout achievements and the members who've shaped ECAAC over the years.

Explore Hall of Fame

Aquascaping Awards

Judged showcases for planted and hardscape layouts, from nano bowls to full biotope replicas.

Explore AAP
Terrarium with mosses and tropical plants
Expanding the Hobby

Now Featuring: Terrariums & Terrestrial Plants

The club is growing beyond the aquarium. Alongside our aquatic focus, we're excited to welcome a dedicated space for terrariums, paludariums, and terrestrial plant keeping — celebrating vivariums, bioactive enclosures, and the plants that thrive above the waterline.

Whether you keep isopods, epiphytic plants, or a jungle of tropical foliage, there's a growing corner of the hobby waiting to be explored — and we can't wait to share it with our members.

Paludariums Bioactive Vivariums Terrestrial Plants Isopods & Micro-fauna
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Member Benefits

Membership Benefits Connect, Learn and Grow

ECAAC

What we offer

Joining a fish or aquatic club has many benefits. To be a part of an organisation that helps promote, educate, and foster the growth of the hobby is truly priceless. Members also assist each other in many ways, not to mention having access to hundreds of years in combined knowledge, and we even trade and sell fish from time to time.

Monthly Meetings

Monthly meetings with workshops, speakers, raffles, and auctions.

Fish Food Orders

Bulk discounted fish and shrimp food for members only.

Club Resources

Member-only access to our online library, which includes many resources.

Group Buys

Members-only group buys for discounted fish and equipment.

Excursions & Club Outings

Join us on visits to local aquaculture facilities, fish farms, and private collections for hands-on learning and networking.

Exclusive Livestock

Access exclusive opportunities to buy, sell, or trade fish and aquatic plants within the club.

Award Programs

Get recognised through Breeding Awards, Specialist Breeder, Horticulture, Hall of Fame, and Aquascaping programs.

Expert Guidance

Learn from experienced members about breeding, care, and selection of fish and invertebrates.

Supporting Local Business

Sponsors & Member Discounts

Show your membership card at these supporting local stores for member benefits.

Interactive Tool

Find Your Aquarium Biotope

Not sure where to start with a biotope build? Answer a few questions about the continent, region, and habitat you're drawn to, and get matched with authentic biotope setups — complete with fish, plants, hardscape, and water parameters.

Continent & Region Habitat Type Species Matches Water Parameters Hardscape & Plants
Start the Wizard
🌍
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Resources

Tools & Guides for Every Aquarist

Aquarium Biotope Wizard

Get matched with an authentic biotope — fish, plants, hardscape, and water parameters — based on your region of interest.

Start the Wizard

Club Resources

Water parameter cheat sheets, the nitrogen cycle explained, glossary, and downloadable forms.

Explore Resources

Species & Care Guides

Quick-reference care guides for 100 of the hobby's most popular freshwater species.

Browse Species

Aquatic Plant Care Guide

50 popular aquatic plants across stems, mosses, epiphytes, carpets, and more.

Browse Plants

Glass Calculator

Plan a DIY build — generate a full glass cutting list and estimated material cost.

Open Calculator

Aquarium Tools

Find your first fish, check stocking, test compatibility, and more — five tools in one.

Explore Tools
Our People

Where Passionate Aquarists Come Together

We unite passionate aquarists who share their knowledge, support one another, and help protect aquatic life. Together, we promote responsible fishkeeping and inspire awareness of natural ecosystems for future generations.

ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member
ECAAC member

Member photos from club meetings and workshops.

View Club Meetings
Testimonials

Our Words and Motivation

60+ Club Members
★★★★★

"We remain the only Aquatic Club in South Africa, and that's something to be proud of..."

Judy Nel — Club President
Judy Nel, Club President
Common Questions

Aquarium Clubs in South Africa — Your Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about joining an aquarium and aquascaping club in South Africa.

Are there aquarium clubs in South Africa?

Yes. The Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club (ECAAC) is South Africa's only active freshwater aquarium and aquascaping club. Founded in 2018 and run entirely by volunteers, we hold monthly meetings, run five award programs, and welcome hobbyists of every experience level from across South Africa.

How do I join an aquarium club in South Africa?

Joining ECAAC is easy. Fill in the short membership form and the committee will be in touch. Membership is open to everyone — from complete beginners with their first betta to seasoned breeders — and no prior experience is required.

Where is the club based?

ECAAC is based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape, serving surrounding areas including Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Uitenhage and Despatch. As South Africa's only active aquarium club, we also welcome members and enquiries from aquarists nationwide.

Do I need experience to join?

Not at all. ECAAC is beginner friendly and brings together aquarists of all levels. Members share knowledge, help each other out, and enjoy access to hundreds of years of combined fishkeeping and aquascaping experience.

Is ECAAC a freshwater or marine club?

We focus on freshwater fishkeeping and aquascaping — including planted tanks, fish breeding and aquatic plants. Marine isn't our main focus, but plenty of our members keep marine tanks too, and it's all part of the same hobby — so you're very welcome whatever you keep. The club is also expanding into terrariums, paludariums and terrestrial plant keeping.

What are the benefits of joining an aquarium club?

Members enjoy monthly meetings with workshops, speakers, raffles and auctions; bulk-discounted fish and shrimp food; member-only group buys; an online resource library; club excursions; and recognition through five award programs. Best of all is access to a supportive community and its combined expertise.

Become a Member

Discover. Learn. Share.
Grow the Hobby.

Membership is open to anyone in the hobby, from total beginners to seasoned breeders. Fill in a short form and the committee will be in touch — no experience required, just curiosity.

Join the Community
Beginner friendly Monthly meetings Five award programs