Fish Tank Kings
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Occasional arguments and vocab heat up aquarium reality.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Another Failure Fish Tank Show.
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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?
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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
- Premiere date: May 19, 2012
- Cast: Ben Alia, Francis Yupangco, Mat Roy
- Network: NatGeoWild
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Ocean Creatures
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: October 23, 2022
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