Dr. Alex Hall, The Reef Vet, Shares His Approach to Reef Tank Diseases
Reef aquaria - from nano tanks to large, complex, high-tech systems - have exploded in popularity with increased knowledge and more advanced lighting and filtration. My guest today, Dr. Alex Hall, a recent vet school graduate with interest and growing expertise in reef diseases, has made a name for himself on social media as “thereefvet.” Join us, as we discuss Alex’s journey from child hobbyist to aquatic veterinarian and scientist.
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BIO:
Dr. Alex Hall received his BSc (Biochemistry/Organic Chemistry) in 2018 from Stony Brook University and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in July 2023. While in veterinary school, Alex completed the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association’s CertAqV Program. He was actively involved in research during his college and veterinary school years and is currently enrolled in an MSc degree in infectious disease at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, which he hopes to complete by 2025.
Alex’s father installed a saltwater reef in his home before he was born, so he grew up in the marine hobby. Alex has been actively and productively reefing for the past 15 years. He currently has 6 tanks totaling 1,000 gallons in which he propagates SPS, LPS, soft corals, anemones, and macroalgae. SPS corals, primarily Acropora species, are his favorite to cultivate and work with. Alex has also reared harlequin shrimp larvae to settlement.
In recent years, Alex has developed a strong interest in disease management, pathogenesis, biosecurity and preventative medicine of corals and reef organisms, and in particular, developing management options for coral disease. He has written several articles on parasitic diseases and co-authored a chapter on diseases in aquatic invertebrates. Alex is currently a consultant veterinarian for the Long Island Aquarium and plans to open a dedicated fish hospital in the coming months.
In addition to his marine aquaculture and hobby interests, he enjoys scuba diving and Judo, for which he was nationally ranked and competed internationally before and after receiving his black belt in 2017.