Welcome To
Barrie Regional Aquarium Society of Simcoe (BRASS)
About Us
The Barrie Aquarium Club
Welcome to the Barrie Aquarium Club (BRASS)—a fun, friendly, and educational club for aquarium hobbyists of all experience levels! As a non-profit group, BRASS brings together people who are passionate about aquariums, fish, and all things aquatic. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, our club is all about learning, sharing knowledge, and growing together. From monthly meetings and special presentations to hands-on activities and mini-auctions, we promote responsible fishkeeping and encourage interest in the breeding and raising of tropical fish. Dive in and join the community!
Become a Member
Joining BRASS is a great way to dive deeper into the aquarium hobby while connecting with a fun, knowledgeable, and supportive community. Whether you’re new to fishkeeping or a seasoned pro, membership comes with a variety of benefits:
Monthly Meetings – Chat with fellow hobbyists, share experiences, and learn something new at every meeting.
Open to Everyone – Anyone with an interest in aquariums, fish, or aquatic life is welcome to join.
Build Your Network – Get to know local hobbyists who can offer advice, share resources, and support your aquarium goals.
Guest Speakers & Presentations – Enjoy educational talks from experienced aquarists and industry experts.
Mini Auctions – Take part in monthly mini auctions featuring fish, plants, equipment, and more—often at great prices.
CAOAC Award Programs – Compete and be recognized for your achievements in fish breeding and aquatic expertise.
Aquarium Store Tours – Join exclusive group visits to local aquarium shops and meet others in the community.
Coming Soon: Member Discounts – We’re working on arranging discounts at local aquarium and pet shops to save you money on your hobby.

Membership Options

Junior Membership – $20
Covers one (1) youth aged 12 to 17. A great way for young aquarium enthusiasts to get involved, learn, and grow in the hobby.

Single Membership – $30
Covers one (1) adult individual aged 18 or older. Perfect for solo hobbyists who want to connect with others, learn more, and participate in club activities.

Family Membership – $40
Covers all adults (18+) and youths (17 and under) residing in one (1) household. A cost-effective way for the whole family to enjoy the hobby together.
Meetings & Events
Our monthly meetings are held at 1B – 204 Mapleview Drive West, Barrie. Special thanks to DriveWise for allowing us the use of this space for our meetings!
Please note that DriveWise is a scent free facility.
| Monthly Meeting – Tuesday June 16th |
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 7 pm, we hope you join us for our next Aquarium Club Meeting! This is our last meeting before the summer break. This meeting will be more of a social gathering, with an auction (Maximum 10 items per vendor) and a pot-luck dinner. So, bring your favorite food item, your auaction items, and some cash to join in the fun!![]() |
| Monthly Meeting – Tuesday May 19th |
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 7 pm, we hope you join us for our next Aquarium Club Meeting! Our Presenter is Brittany Watts who will present on all the essentials of Outdoor Water Spaces and Ponds. You are invited to come learn with us about how to jazz up your outdoor space with fish, plants, and critters. Questions are always welcome. And, guaranteed, we talk ‘Fish’ a lot!![]() |
| Monthly Meeting – Tuesday April 21st |
Join us for our next aquarium club meeting as we dive into the essentials of Sumps, Pumps & Aquarium Filtration! Whether you’re setting up your first tank or fine-tuning an advanced system, this session will cover how to improve water quality, increase system efficiency, and choose the right equipment for your setup. Come learn, ask questions, and share your experiences with fellow hobbyists!![]() |
| Monthly Meeting – Thursday March 26th (NEW LOCATION) |
| Come out to see the new monthly meeting location! Frank Aguirre, former president of CAOAC (Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs), will be speaking about Biotope Aquariums. ![]() |
Resources
Here are some top fish and scientific related databases and public digital libraries, forwarded to BRASS by Frank Aquirre (Presenter):
Fish and Aquatic Sciences
– *Fisheries and Oceans Canada Library*: A comprehensive library providing access to publications, reports, and data on fisheries management, aquatic ecosystems, and waterway safety. ¹
– *Fish Biodiversity Database*: A database offering fish community and habitat data from DFO Science surveys, focusing on freshwater fishes of conservation concern in the Great Lakes basin. ²
– *Fisheries Inventory Data Queries (FIDQ)*: A query tool for accessing fish stocking records, fish species, and habitat data for lakes and streams in Canada. ³
Scientific Research and Data
– *Federal Science Libraries Network*: A portal providing access to library services and search capabilities across federal science-based departments and agencies. ⁴
– *Federal Open Science Repository of Canada*: An open access portal for scientific articles and publications authored by federal scientists and researchers. ⁵
– *Science and Research by Topic – Pêches et Océans Canada*: A resource offering data, research, and information on oceanography, aquatic species, water science, and more. ⁶
Other Resources
– *Ocean Biodiversity Information System*: A database providing access to marine species data and information.
– *Canadian Tides and Water Levels Data Archive*: A repository of water level observations and data. ⁷
Here are some top databases and resources for aquarium fish:
Aquarium Fish Databases
– *FishBase*: A global information system on finfishes, covering over 36,400 fish species, with information on taxonomy, biology, ecology, and more. ¹
– *AquaMaps*: Provides predicted range maps for aquatic species, including aquarium fish, with data on distribution, habitat, and conservation status. ²
– *Aquarium Fish Database*: Offers over 1,160 profiles of aquarium fish, with information on care, breeding, and compatibility. ³
Canadian Resources
– *Fisheries and Oceans Canada*: Provides information on freshwater fish species in Canada, including aquarium fish, with data on distribution, habitat, and conservation status. ⁴ ⁵
– *Government of British Columbia*: Offers a fish species codes query tool for identifying aquarium fish. ⁶
Other Resources
– *Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes*: A comprehensive database of fish species, including aquarium fish, with information on taxonomy, distribution, and more. ⁷
– *Fish Biodiversity Database*: A compilation of fish community and habitat data from DFO Science surveys, including information on aquarium fish.




