About The Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club

The Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascaping Club unites aquarium and aquascaping enthusiasts across the Eastern Cape and beyond, bringing together the collective expertise, experience, and passion of its members to grow understanding, appreciation, and responsible practice within the hobby.

Notably, ECAAC is currently the only active aquarium and aquascaping club in South Africa, serving as a vital hub for hobbyists nationwide — a unique position that allows the club to lead on education, ethical practices, and community engagement within the South African aquarium hobby.

Jan Calitz, founder of the Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club
ECAAC logo
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.

How the Club Operates

Every ECAAC committee member is elected by the membership, so the club is genuinely run by the people who show up to meetings and put in the time — not by a fixed group at the top. That means members have a real say in how the club is run, and anyone willing to contribute can put themselves forward for a committee role. In practice, this keeps decisions grounded in what the membership actually wants from the club, from meeting content to award programs to how funds raised through auctions are used.

What drives us

Our purpose, mission, and commitment

Our purpose

To create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and growth. Through meetings, workshops, demonstrations, and discussions, we provide platforms for members and the wider community to learn about aquariums, aquascaping, aquatic plants, and aquatic life.

Our mission

To bring together the expertise and passion of our members to educate, inspire, and support both experienced hobbyists and newcomers — raising standards within the hobby while promoting environmental awareness and responsibility.

Our commitment

To safeguard the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of aquarium organisms — guiding responsible stocking, water quality management, and sustainable aquascaping, while promoting the conservation of natural ecosystems.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions About the Club

A little more about who we are, how we're run, and what ECAAC does.

When was the Eastern Cape Aquarium & Aquascaping Club founded?

ECAAC was founded in 2018 by Jan Calitz. What began as a small gathering of enthusiasts has since grown into a structured organisation with an elected committee, a formal constitution, and a thriving membership.

Who runs ECAAC and how is it managed?

The club is run entirely by volunteers through an elected committee that oversees meetings, events and day-to-day governance. Everything we do is guided by our Constitution and Bylaws, with a commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness.

Is ECAAC really the only aquarium club in South Africa?

Yes — ECAAC is currently the only active freshwater aquarium and aquascaping club in South Africa. That makes us a hub for hobbyists nationwide, and it's a responsibility we take seriously when it comes to education, ethical practice and community.

What does the club actually do?

We hold monthly meetings with workshops, speakers, raffles and auctions, run five award programs, and create opportunities for members to learn about aquariums, aquascaping and aquatic life. Underpinning it all is a focus on responsible fishkeeping and conservation of natural ecosystems.

What is the club's mission?

To bring together the expertise and passion of our members to educate, inspire and support both seasoned hobbyists and newcomers — raising standards within the hobby, safeguarding the welfare of aquarium organisms, and promoting awareness of the natural ecosystems many species come from.

Who can get involved with ECAAC?

Anyone in the hobby, from total beginners to seasoned breeders — no experience required, just curiosity. We're based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape and welcome members and enquiries from across South Africa. You can become a member here.

Become a Member

Ready to join South Africa's only aquatic club?

Membership is open to anyone in the hobby, from total beginners to seasoned breeders. No experience required — just curiosity.

Join the Community