Fishkeeping Club unveils new aquarium in East Quad
LSA senior Dominique Diokno introduces the new aquarium club at East Quad Residence Hall Friday afternoon. Vivian Tai/DAILY. Buy this photo.
Students gathered in the basement of East Quad Residence Hall Friday afternoon to watch members of the University of Michigan Fishkeeping Club unveil their latest project: an aquarium in the Residential College’s communal space. The tank is a culmination of months of planning and design, reflecting a broader effort to create an interactive educational experience for the campus community.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, LSA senior Dominique Diokno, president of the Fishkeeping Club, said the club chose the aquarium’s location because of the RC common space’s creative and slightly unconventional reputation.
“I saw the potential of putting it in the RC because it’s very interdisciplinary,” Diokno said. “I remember being in the printmaking studio and carving out pieces, and people would come by and look through the window. I’d feel like a fish in a tank or a zoo animal kind of. In that sense, the aquarium fits the vibe perfectly.”
The tank features three primary fish species — the White Cloud Mountain minnow, the Panda Garra and the Tequila Splitfin — along with shrimp and snails to balance the ecosystem. The Tequila Splitfin carries a unique University connection — the species was first described by U-M researchers, adding a layer of institutional history to the installation.
In an interview with The Daily, LSA junior Ryan Hou, a Fishkeeping Club member, said the aquarium offers a unique opportunity for students to interact with aquatic life.
“I am personally very invested in fish and have been focusing on them in my research,” Hou said. “I think it’s a very exciting opportunity for people to gain a better appreciation for these animals. I want everyone to see that they’re very cool and cute. People who normally wouldn’t interact with these fish now get to, which I love.”
Beyond its biological components, organizers emphasized the aquarium’s role as a bridge between disciplines. The aquarium invites anyone passing by to pause and observe, much like they would with an art installation.
In an interview with The Daily, Elissa Bell Bayraktar, program head of the Arts & Ideas in the Humanities major, said the tank aligns closely with the program’s broader mission.
“I thought it was a beautiful idea,” Bayraktar said. “I want people to think about the aquarium not just as a scientific endeavor but also as an artistic one. You can see how STEM dovetails with the arts, and that’s exactly what we do in the program.”
Club members will continue maintaining the tank through regular meetings and feedings. In a speech to event attendees, Diokno said the project is as much about community as it is about fish.
“I just wanted to contribute something to this place that’s helped me grow so much,” Diokno said. “The RC is so special, the people are so special and I knew something special like this would fit right in.”
Daily Staff Reporter Zahra Kagal can be reached at zkagal@umich.edu.
