Fish Tank Kings

Common Sense Media says

Occasional arguments and vocab heat up aquarium reality.

Age(i)

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Quality(i)

 
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What parents need to know

Positive messages

Shows some problem solving between team members -- some is positive, some not. The show offers some details about how aquariums are built, and some of the fish they work with. The various ways they go about collecting and taking care of specimens for exhibits is also discussed.

Positive role models

The team works well with each other even thought there are occasional arguments. They make the well-being of the animals a priority.

Violence

Stressful jobs lead to heated exchanges between the staff. Moving sharks sometimes pose a danger to the people handling them. Occasionally fish move in death spins and/or are swallowed by other fish, but no blood is visible. A staff person playfully hits another one with a baseball.

Sex

Words like "pimping out" are used to describe larger-than-life aquariums.

Language

Words like "crap" are audible; occasional cursing ("s--t," "f--k") is bleeped.

Consumerism

The series is a promotional vehicle for Living Color Aquariums. Logos for the new Miami Marlins stadium, the Florida Aquarium, and commercial establishments like All Pets Emporium are featured.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Fish Tank Kings contains some arguing and occasional salty vocab ("crap," "hell"; other curses bleeped). Logos for local pet stores, aquariums, and the Miami Marlins are visible. The series also offers some limited information about how aquariums are built and the fish that populate them.

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What's the story?

FISH TANK KINGS is a reality series featuring Living Color Aquariums, a Florida-based aquarium company committed to building big, unique, and exotic fish mansions for demanding clients. Company owner Mat Roy oversees a crew of expert fabricators, including creative manager Jose Blanco, system designer John Manning, and project manager Ben Alia, as they build custom tropical fish aquariums for homes, museums, pet stores, and even baseball stadiums. Also on staff is Francis Yupangco, a marine biologist who makes sure that what they build will support marine life safely. The stress brought on by manufacturing mistakes, near-impossible deadlines, and fish who struggle to adapt to the aquariums often lead to some intense moments, but the dedicated team always manages to pull together to create impressive tanks that are both exciting and serenely beautiful.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

The series offers lots of information about what goes into building cutting-edge aquariums, which have become a major status symbol in upscale homes, buildings, and commercial establishments. Limited information about different species of fish, how best to collect them, and what it takes to keep them alive is also shared.

The concept is interesting, but the show is as much about the interaction between the team members than it is about the interesting work that goes into building and filling tanks. As a result, there are some uncomfortably voyeuristic moments as the team sorts out their professional differences. It's not very educational, but it is mildly entertaining.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about aquariums. Why have they become status symbols? Do you think taking fish out of the oceans and putting them in tanks to look at for mere enjoyment is ethical? Why or why not?

  • What do these guys gain from being on a reality show? Do they have anything to lose?

TV details

Cast:Ben Alia, Francis Yupangco, Mat Roy
Network:NatGeoWild
Genre:Reality TV
Topics:Ocean creatures
TV rating:TV-PG
Available on:Streaming

This review of Fish Tank Kings was written by

Melissa Camacho

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parent Written byRhondakbt May 17, 2012
AGE
11
QUALITY
 

Another Failure Fish Tank Show.

Another TV show about making indestructible fish tanks all the while the fish suffer the consequences of extremely loud noises in their environment. Totally not cool!
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