Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelson Marcucci.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The history of Creekwood Aquatics LLC is a journey from professional aquatics to specialized entrepreneurship.
The foundation of the company comes from decades of experience working in the industry, starting in aquarium shops and maintenance companies before moving on to manage large-scale systems in public aquariums.
In 2023, Creekwood Aquatics launched as a specialized aquaculture business, focusing on the production of live aquarium foods (like phytoplankton and Daphnia). This superior, high-quality food was quickly shipped to customers all around the country.
In 2024, the business expanded further by opening its fish room to the public, establishing a local presence to sell livestock and provide expert advice, all backed by its unique professional background.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of Creekwood Aquatics LLC has been marked by overcoming major challenges, specifically starting with minimal funds and making crucial, high-risk investments to expand, all while navigating the stress placed my the family.
The company started with only $500 in startup capital. This extremely small amount had to cover registering the business, setting up the website, and purchasing the very first equipment: five buckets, two glass jars, and other items to begin culturing live aquarium foods.
The greatest challenge, however, wasn’t purely financial; it was the intense stress on my family and the heavy weight of self-doubt that came with taking the entrepreneurial plunge. Launching the business meant long hours and financial strain, leading to moments where I questioned: Did I truly make the right decision in starting this business? The risk affected everyone, adding immense pressure to succeed.
Despite the doubt, a decision was made to push forward. This required the largest investment in the company’s history: opening the public fish room. This true leap of faith saw funds used to build custom aquarium racks, life support systems, and buy new fish. This investment was necessary to create the essential infrastructure the business needed to grow and continue its success, ultimately validating the risk and hard work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My career began in New Jersey, where I got my start in pet shops. I spent seven years at a local store, Animals and Things, before moving on to one of the big-box retailers. This foundational experience led me to a unique job at a themed restaurant chain that housed a huge 4,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.
I was initially hired for animal care, but I quickly took on a dual role as a facility assistant. I became proficient in the facilities department, gaining skills in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and even repairing animatronics. Within a year, I was promoted to Aquarium Manager, effectively merging these two worlds—I would be doing animal care in the morning and fixing a dishwasher booster heater by night.
In 2017, I took my expertise to San Antonio to work at a major public aquarium as the Aquarium and Life Support Manager. This was high-stakes work, involving amazing projects like expanding animal exhibits, creating new water features, and participating in critical breeding programs for endangered species.
By 2023, with decades of diverse experience, I knew it was time for a change. I wanted creative freedom and something to call my own, which led me to found Creekwood Aquatics LLC.
Any big plans?
We’re always planning our next projects to expand Creekwood Aquatics LLC, focusing heavily on sustainability and in-house production.
Our next major project is the construction of a greenhouse in November 2025. This expansion is key to our future self-sufficiency. In this new space, we plan to:
Start our own in-house fish breeding projects.
Culture our live food indoors on a larger, more stable scale.
Begin growing our own aquatic plants.
Beyond the greenhouse, we are focused on growing our marine operations and retail presence:
We plan to expand our saltwater room and begin aquaculturing our own coral. This is a major goal for us, as it will significantly reduce the need for harvesting corals from the wild, aligning with our commitment to responsible aquatics.
We will also be expanding our dry goods sections to offer a wider range of equipment, food, and supplies to our customers.
These projects will help us control the quality of our offerings and establish Creekwood Aquatics as a true hub for sustainable, high-quality aquarium products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creekwoodaquatics.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gnt8GgaTA/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@creekwood.aquatic
