The Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club
The Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascaping Club's mission is to bring together the expertise and experience of its members, with a purpose to share this information with others. The Club strives to safeguard the quality of life for aquarium organisms maintained in aquariums, and to promote an awareness of natural ecosystems in order to protect and share them with future generations.
Join the CommunityDiscover. 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.
Purpose, mission, and commitment — in that order
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read Our Full StoryFive 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 BAPSpecialist Breeder
For members who go deep on one category — automatic recognition once you're already logging BAP spawns.
Explore SBPHorticulture Awards
Recognition for propagating aquatic plants, from easy runners to hard-won seed-grown species.
Explore HAPHall of Fame
Celebrating the club's standout achievements and the members who've shaped ECAAC over the years.
Explore Hall of FameAquascaping Awards
Judged showcases for planted and hardscape layouts, from nano bowls to full biotope replicas.
Explore AAP
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.
Explore MoreMembership Benefits Connect, Learn and Grow
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.
What's your Aquarium Health Score?
A realistic stocking check that goes beyond the "1 inch per gallon" rule — weighing bioload, compatibility, swimming space, water parameters, and schooling together into one score out of 100.
Tools & Guides for Every Aquarist
Aquarium Health Score
Score your stocking plan for bioload, compatibility, space, and water parameters.
Check Your ScoreClub Resources
Water parameter cheat sheets, the nitrogen cycle explained, glossary, and downloadable forms.
Explore ResourcesSpecies & Care Guides
Quick-reference care guides for 100 of the hobby's most popular freshwater species.
Browse SpeciesAquatic Plant Care Guide
50 popular aquatic plants across stems, mosses, epiphytes, carpets, and more.
Browse PlantsGlass Calculator
Plan a DIY build — generate a full glass cutting list and estimated material cost.
Open CalculatorAquarium Tools
Find your first fish, check stocking, test compatibility, and more — five tools in one.
Explore ToolsWhere 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.
Member photos from club meetings and workshops.
Impact & Reach What Makes Our Club Stand Out
You'll love our active, joyful communities
Find Out MoreOur Words and Motivation
"We remain the only Aquatic Club in South Africa, and that's something to be proud of..."
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