aquarium camera app
Check your fish tank remotely — without another aquarium gadget
Use a compatible spare phone as a private remote aquarium camera. End-to-end encrypted, with free basic monitoring.
Download Free →Why most options fall short
Equipment failures kill tanks fast — and they happen when you're not home
A heater stuck on, a chiller failure, a leaking sump, a stuck protein skimmer — these can wipe out a tank in hours. By the time you get home, it's too late.
Dedicated aquarium webcams are overkill
Some IP-camera setups add dedicated hardware and optional cloud-storage fees. For a hobby tank, reusing a compatible phone can be simpler.
Cloud-connected cameras may also handle video of your home interior
Pointing a cloud-connected camera at your tank can also capture your living room. Storage and retention vary by vendor and plan, so check the current privacy and storage terms.
Why Call Pet works for aquarium camera app
01
End-to-end encrypted, video stays between your two phones
Media connects directly over WebRTC P2P with no TURN or media relay. WebRTC DTLS/SRTP protects audio and video; X25519 + AES-256-GCM protects control and signaling messages. Call Pet servers do not receive the media.
02
Auto-reconnect after brief network interruptions
Call Pet can reconnect when the network returns while the Monitor remains in the foreground standby page and a direct P2P path is available. A restart or closed app requires manual reopening.
03
A compatible spare Apple or Android device
An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 13 or later can be the Monitor, and a compatible Android device can be the Monitor only. No dedicated camera hardware is required.
04
No Call Pet account or email; free basic monitoring
The Monitor displays a QR code and the Controller scans it. No Call Pet account, email address, or phone number is required. Basic monitoring is free; optional Pro features are available separately.
05
Two-way audio if you keep the spare phone near a feeder
Position the spare phone near your feeder or sump room and you can use audio to call family members at home if you spot a problem.
Set up in 5 steps
About 30 seconds. No account needed at any step.
-
1
Install Call Pet on two phones
Your everyday phone (the viewer) and a spare phone aimed at the aquarium.
-
2
Open Call Pet on the spare phone, choose Monitor
The Monitor displays a QR code.
-
3
Open Call Pet on your main phone, choose Controller
Use the Controller to scan the QR code shown by the Monitor.
-
4
Mount the spare phone facing the tank
A small phone tripod, a wall mount, or a shelf 0.5–1.5m away works. Plug into a charger. Avoid splash zones.
-
5
Check your tank remotely
Keep the Monitor app in the foreground on its standby page, then open Call Pet on the Controller. The two networks must allow a direct WebRTC P2P connection.
Frequently asked
Can I see fine detail like fish gill movement or coral polyps? +
Detail depends on the Monitor device's camera, focus distance, lighting, and network conditions. Check the live view before leaving it in place; phone cameras are not a substitute for dedicated macro inspection.
Will the spare phone overheat next to a warm tank? +
Long camera and network use can warm a phone. Keep Call Pet in the foreground standby page, lower the display brightness if needed, provide airflow, and keep the phone away from heated lids or splash zones. Stop using it if the device shows a temperature warning.
Is this enough to detect a leak before damage spreads? +
If the camera covers the sump and floor near the tank, yes — you can spot puddles or unusual water levels visually. For early-warning leak detection, pair with a hardware leak sensor.
Can I check on multiple tanks at once? +
Each Call Pet pairing is one Monitor → one Controller. For multiple tanks, set up multiple Monitor phones; switch between them on your main phone.
Does the camera work in low light when the tank lights are off? +
Phone cameras need some ambient light. If you keep a moonlight setting on the tank or a small room light at night, you'll see the tank fine.
See how Call Pet compares
Remote aquarium check-ins without a new gadget. Use a compatible phone you already own.
Download Free →