2026 #TanninBae Ambassadors
Our TanninBae ambassadors confidently venture beneath the leaves.
They build ecosystems, document natures processes, and share what they learn with a growing community of aquarists and vivarists. Each year, we select a small curated group of educators and content creators to join our year long program. New ambassadors are announced every December for the following year.
If you're interested in a one-time ecosystem build collaboration, that's welcome too. Submit an application below and reach out via email or IG DM to let us know.
When selecting ambassadors, we look for individuals who have:
- Built a genuine community
- Developed a recognizable content style
- Demonstrated inclusive values within the hobby
We're especially interested in educators working across aquatic and terrestrial husbandry — fish, frogs, reptiles, invertebrates. Depth matters more than follower count.
2027 applications are not yet open. Submit your application below and we'll be in touch later this year.
Alex Kao
On my YouTube channel, I try my best to integrate my aquariums into my living space. You’ll see a lot of the same aquariums over and over again; that is because I spend a lot of time documenting the growth and evaluation of specific tanks over a long period of time. As much as I like to make content and new aquariums, I really want to get across to people that leaving an aquarium undisturbed for long periods of time can yield some of the most rewarding things that this hobby has to offer.
My favorite fish currently are my 3-year-old green neon tetras.
Content I'm Proud to Share!
When I’m not taking photos of videos of my aquariums, I’m usually taking shots of cars and car parts for Verus Engineering
Brandy Napolitano
I love spreading knowledge about the benefits of natural ecosystems. From the tiny micro fauna, strange aquatic fungi and biofilms, layers of mulm, and that beautiful amber tannin glow. My bettas, Corydoras, celestial pearl danios, and gobies (Honorable mention for my special kitty Salem), are my children. For 2026, I plan to learn more and try my hand at some bioactive enclosures.
Kevin Sell
Plants are better than fish…in my opinion. Upon seeing my page, you’ll see detailed videography of high-tech aquascapes and stem plants being grown to their full potential. Need some plant recommendations for your next tank? I’m your guy! Hit me up with your plant questions and I’ll set you in the right direction.
I strictly keep freshwater tropical fish & shrimp in my aquascape gallery, but I have a cat who thinks that the tanks are made for him, and that’s always a challenge.
Since I got into aquascaping, I’ve always been in love with growing and harnessing the beauty of high-tech stem plants. For 2026, you can expect to see me taking a deep dive into Dutch Style Aquascaping with a heavy focus on growing stem plants to their maximum potential, including some rare plants that are known for their difficulty to grow.
Content I'm Proud to Share:
INSIDE AMAZON'S EXCLUSIVE AQUARIUM!
Leandra Owen
I focus on keeping reptiles, amphibians, and fish with a focus on naturalistic self-sustaining ecosystems. I prefer a hands-off approach, letting nature do its thing because a little algae never killed anyone. I like to add a little bit of fun and whimsy to my page by adding a sprinkle of fantasy, oddities, and antiques.
Beck Donnelly
My content is centered around trying to make planted set ups for creatures who aren't typically recommended to house with plants because they'll eat them! Rather than turning your plants into an expensive salad for your pets, hopefully you can take away a few tips and tricks on how to maintain a beautiful planted set up in which creatues like Goldfish, Red earred sliders, Snails and other creatures thrive because of the presence of plants and their natural water cleansing abilities!
Hayley Zimmermann
I am my happiest when I am taking care of my animals, and I love creating content about them and their enclosures! I keep all sorts of fun stuff....from fish, to newts, to frogs...and everything in between (even bugs!) I greatly enjoy building and designing aquariums and terrariums, and am a huge plant nerd too! I work at a local fish store, and I truly love my job so much. Much of my time is spent engaging with other hobbyists and sharing my favorite tips and tricks on topics like aquascaping and proper husbandry for different species of fish and animals. I have some new additions and upgrades coming in the next few months that I am super excited to share!
Content I'm Proud to Share:
2025 Aquashella NJ Fluval Aquascaping Contest-3rd Place Winner Overall
Emperor Newt Setup Guide | Guest Blog Post for Betta Botanicals
Kyle Carlson
On my page, you can expect to find lots of Rainbowfish, dart frogs, vivariums, and throwbacks to rio negro inspired biotopes. With maybe a smaller lean forward into vivariums in 2026, but still, the basis of my page is Rainbowfish, which is my favorite niche of the hobby! You can find fish room updates on my YouTube and Rainbowfish catalog on my Instagram and Facebook. Maybe there will be a personal site coming that shares my fish photography.
Victoria Vlk
On my socials, you can find a deep dive into my animals and the homes I create, specific to each of their needs. I currently have 5 fish tanks and 6 bioactive enclosures, housing 5 geckos and 1 snake. My love for my pets extends into the ecosystems I create for them, from the botanicals to the plants and isopods. I strive to help everyone create both beautiful and beneficial ecosystems for my animals. In 2026, I will be expanding into more critter keeping! Maybe even some with fur.
Content I'm Proud to Share:
Fernando Granadino
This page explores a tannin-stained aquarium as an ecosystem rather than a display. Posts focus on real behavior, territory, pairing, survival, and the quiet structure that forms between species over time. The main inhabitants are Betta hendra alongside different species of rasboras, loaches, otocinclus, shrimp, snails, and their fry, all interacting through cover, leaf litter, roots, and shadow. The goal isn’t aquascaping perfection, but documenting how a contained environment begins to function like a living, breathing organism.
Content I'm Proud to Share:
Anna Kelly
The Betta Babes is all about nature-inspired, fish-centered aquariums—from betta fish, shrimp, and other freshwater species, to African dwarf frogs and turtles—crafted using a blend of botanical and true planted methods to create healthy, thriving ecosystems. This account has grown organically to inspire and support a friendly community, especially for those who struggled to find clear, reliable guidance when starting out. In 2026, the focus is on education, aquatic rescue, beginner-friendly tips, and helping you understand the why behind every aquascaping decision—so your tank can feel balanced, natural, and alive.
@TheBettaBabes on TikTok
Content I'm Proud to Share:
Violasfish
My content focuses on betta fish care with the use of botanicals to support fish health, behavior, and ecosystem balance. I share my bettas alongside shrimp and snails, showing how botanicals benefit entire aquatic micro-ecosystems. In 2026, my focus is on species-appropriate care, utilizing botanicals, and helping hobbyists confidently create enriching environments for their fish.
Content I'm Proud to Share:
Calvin Darling
root hoarder, oddball fish lover, nano tank enthusiast, substrate monger, goby collector.
Sarah Jameson
My page is focused on sharing my fish and aquariums with the world and hopefully educating a few people in the process. I try to show how incredible fishkeeping can be when you give your fish the right environment to thrive, not just survive, and hopefully inspire people. I currently have 3 tanks that each consist of a betta and his "friends", aka kuhli loaches, corydoras, shrimp, etc. I am quite camera shy, so my content is mainly just my fish, which generally appeals to a broader audience, but I also want to try and start appearing in some more explanatory videos for hobbiests as well, as I have picked up many tips and tricks over the years. Instagram is my primary page.
Content I'm Proud to Share:
Join the Betta Botanicals Community
Each year, we open our TanninBae Ambassador applications for the following program cycle, with selections made every November. We're looking for creators who observe, share, and build ecosystems with purpose. If that describes the work you're already doing, we'd love to hear from you.
Partnership opportunities
- Affiliate marketing
- Discount codes
- Additional opportunities