Task · part of 7. Choose one fisheries task, from an afternoon to sixty days
7(d). A freshwater aquarium, sixty days of observation
Optional May not apply Often forgotten
At least four species of native plants and four of animal life, such as whirligig beetles, freshwater shrimp, tadpoles, water snails and golden shiners. After 60 days, discuss life cycles, food chains and management needs with your counselor.
Notes and warnings
Warning. DO THE LEGAL CHECK AND THE DISPOSAL CONVERSATION ON DAY ONE, NOT DAY SIXTY. The requirement says: before completing it, check local laws on releasing these organisms back into the wild, and follow your counselor's direction in disposing of them humanely and safely. In many states returning aquarium organisms to the wild is restricted or illegal even where they were collected, because of disease and invasive species rules. You will have kept eight living things for two months by then. Find out what happens to them at the end before you begin.
Where this step comes from
- Fish & Wildlife Management Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2026-05-05), Requirement 7(d) · The requirement states 60 days of observation, and requires local release laws to be checked and the counselor's disposal direction followed before completion.