Welcome! Smart Small Fry is the fish training arm (fin?) of Freshwater Pearls Puppetry, a talented touring puppet troupe in business since 1987. Freshwater Pearls is unique in the world of puppet theater. We offer first-class, innovative puppet performances featuring live, trained animal actors. Freshwater Pearls dreams up the art, and Smart Small Fry applies the science to make it happen.

       At Smart Small Fry we use the reward-based, positive reinforcement methods of Operant Conditioning to teach our fish athletes, circus performers, musicians, and actors. The animals participate because their cooperation earns them tasty food rewards; no punishment or coercion is used. Animals trained in this way are happier, better adjusted, and ultimately smarter as a result of their education. Our goals are:

1) to raise public awareness of pet fishes' need for mental stimulation,

2) to help public aquariums, zoos, and other institutions provide enrichment for their aquatic species, and

3) to present professional, unforgettable entertainment to venues of all kinds nationwide.