Two out of every three homes have a pet.  Of the 393.3 million pets that live in the U.S., did you know that freshwater aquarium fish are the most popular?  In fact, there are 139.3 million of them nationwide.

What do you do when your beloved fish gets sick?  Do you call your veterinarian for help?  Unfortunately, not many veterinarians treat pet fish, so you may not be in luck!

But, if you know the  Royal Veterinary College soon to be graduate, Alex J. Hall, you will be in luck.  Alex, also known as @thereefvet on Instagram, keeps his more than ten thousand followers up to date with everything fish. 

From ways to maintain the best water quality to recognizing dangerous diseases, it is no wonder Alex was chosen to be one of Vet Candy’s Rising Stars. 

Here’s five things you may not know about future fish vet, Alex J. Hall

1.     After a stressful day, he enjoys working on his home aquariums. By the way, his home aquarium consists of six distinct tanks containing a vast assortment of saltwater species, including fish, coral, and anemones.

2.     According to this native New Yorker, everyone should make their health a priority- that means we should prioritize physical activity, healthy nutrition, and self-care.

3.     His life’s mission is to explore currently untouched areas of aquatic medicine He wants to  catalog, classify, and treat emergent diseases of marine invertebrates (I.e., Corals and anemones) and teleosts (Reef species).

4.     He believes that finding a purpose in life is essential because it provides direction, significance, and satisfaction. When we have a purpose, we have a reason to get out of bed every day, work diligently, and endeavor for something greater than ourselves.

5.     He’s hoping to launch his own aquatic hospital in the next five years.