Modern Aquarium September 2010

September 2010volume XVIInumber 7

ON THE COVERAdding an additional female, even if separated by a transparent barrier, to the a tank of a pair of Betta splendens can help stimulate spawning. Al Priest discusses the use of spawning trios with members of the genus Betta in his article, “When Three’s NOT a Crowd,” on page 9. Photo by Alexander A. Priest

GREATER CITY AQUARIUM SOCIETY

Board MeMBers

President Dan RadebaughVice-President Mark SobermanTreasurer Jules BirnbaumCorresponding Secretary Warren Feuer Recording Secretary Edward Vukich

MeMBers at Large

Claudia Dickinson Pete D’OrioArtie Friedman Al GrusellBen Haus Emma HausLeonard Ramroop

CoMMittee Chairs

A.C.A. Delegate Claudia DickinsonBowl Show Leonard RamroopBreeder Award Warren Feuer Mark SobermanEarly Arrivals Al GrusellF.A.A.S. Delegate Alexander A. PriestMembers/Programs Claudia DickinsonN.E.C. Delegate Claudia DickinsonTechnology Coordinator Warren Feuer

MODERN AQUARIUM

Editor in Chief Dan RadebaughCopy Editors Sharon Barnett Susan Priest Alexander A. PriestExchange Editors Stephen Sica Donna Sosna SicaAdvertising Mgr. Mark Soberman

In This Issue

From the Editor 2

G.C.A.S. 2010 Program Schedule 3

President’s Message 4

Member Classifieds 5

G.C.A.S. Sponsors and Advertisers 6

Tonight’s Speaker: Ed Vukich 7Cichlid Breeding Tails

by Claudia Dickinson

When Three’s NOT a Crowd 9by Alexander A. Priest

MA Classics 11Feed Your Fish Some Gourmet Cooking

by Mary and Dan Carson

You Know You’re an EXTREME Aquarist When 15by Susan.Priest

Cichlidically Speaking 17by Claudia Dickinson

G.C.A.S. Happenings 22

The Undergravel Reporter 23Making Fashion Statements

Fin Fun (Puzzle Page) 24Bon Appétit

Series III Vol. XVII, No. 7 September, 2010

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY)2 September 2010

From theEditor by Dan Radebaugh

While putting these issues of Modern Aquarium together, I am sometimes bemused by the way themes can

emerge, and by how, with just a little more luck or foreknowledge, an even more compelling theme might have emerged. For instance, if I had only held Joe Ferdenzi’s excellent article from our August issue, “My Perpetual Daphnia Tank,” until this month, we could justifiably have called the theme for this current issue “Eat, Prey, Love.” Alas, we preyed a month too soon. Nevertheless, we do nail the other two.

For instance, just look at Claudia Dickinson’s introduction of tonight’s speaker, Ed Vukich, whose subject is “Cichlid Breeding Tails.” Just dives right in; no foreplay at all. Then there’s Al Priest, who suggests that to stimulate more romantic action from our perhaps jaded charges, we tempt them with a ménage a trois! At least Al keeps some perspective, by also submitting a puzzle entitled “Bon Appétit.” To be fair, I suspect Ed will likely include some comments on the importance of food for mood. But even if he doesn’t, we’re still well covered. For all you recipe hounds “MA Classics” this month includes an article from 1968 by Mary and Dan Carson, entitled “Feed Your Fish Some Gourmet Cooking.”

Parenthetically, I’m sure I’m not the only one here old enough to remember how popular do-it-yourself recipes used to be. There are still a number of beef heart based recipes out there on the internet, but the necessity of home cooking for your fish has by and large been obviated by the increasingly large number of good specialty fish foods that are now commercially available. I also have to believe it would take a very understanding spouse to deal with regularly having the kitchen commandeered for fish food preparation.

Of course that begs the question, what are our spouses already putting up with? For some possible answers to that, see Sue Priest’s “You Know You’re an

EXTREME Fishkeeper When…” on page 15. Even “Cichlidically Speaking” (announcing the ACA’s Spawn of the Year winner) and the Undergravel Reporter (take a look at that picture) fall prey (Aha! I love it when a plan comes together!) to the general tone of carnal sensuality.

We need more articles! Please! Help pull us out of this decadence! Send me an article detailing the water chemistry issues you’re facing. Or maybe some hints on calculating how large a tank our floor can withstand. More seriously, Modern Aquarium is produced by and for the members of Greater City Aquarium Society. Our members are our authors, and with ten issues per year, we always, always need more articles. I know several of you are keeping and/or breeding fish that I would like to know more about, and I’m certain other members would be interested as well. Share your experience with us. Write about it! If you’re a little unsure about the state of your writing technique, don’t worry – that’s why there are editors.

If you have an article, photo, or drawing that you’d like to submit for inclusion in Modern Aquarium, it’s easy to do! You may fax it to me at (877) 299-0522, email it to [email protected], or just hand it to me at a meeting. However you get it to me, I’ll be delighted to receive it!

Articles submitted for consideration in Modern Aquarium (ISSN 2150-0940) must be received no later than the 10th day of the month prior to the month of publication. Please fax to (877) 299-0522, or email to [email protected]. Copyright 2010 by the Greater City Aquarium Society Inc., a not-for-profit New York State corporation. All rights reserved. Not-for-profit aquarium societies are hereby granted permission to reproduce articles and illustrations from this publication, unless the article indicates that the copyrights have been retained by the author, and provided reprints indicate source and two copies of the publication are sent to the Exchange Editor of this magazine. Any other reproduction or commercial use of the material in this publication is prohibited without express written prior permission.The Greater City Aquarium Society meets every month, except January and February. Members receive notice of meetings in the mail. For more information, contact: Dan Radebaugh (718) 458-8437. Find out more, or leave us a message, at our Internet Home Page at: http://www.greatercity.org or http://www.greatercity.com

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY) September 2010 3

GCASPrograms

2010-11

It is our great fortune to have another admirable cast of speakers who have so graciously accepted our invitation to join us throughout the coming season, bringing us their extensive knowledge and experiences. You certainly won’t wish to miss a moment of our prominent

guests, not to mention the friends, fish, warmth, and camaraderie that accompanies each meeting. I know I can barely wait to see you here! Enjoy!

Claudia

September Ed VukichCichlid Breeding Tails

October Rusty WesselMexico - The Panuco Valley:

Livebearers and Cichlids of the Region

November Joseph Ferdenzi

December Holiday Party!

January Winter Break

February Winter Break

March La Monte BrownNative Fishes


President’sMessage

by Dan Radebaugh

First of all, congratulations to all on a very well-attended and well-stocked Silent Auction last month. Everything went smoothly, and everyone seemed to leave happy. Everyone wins at these auctions. Some of us get rid of unused items we’re not quite willing to

throw out, while others are able to find an item they’ve been needing, at a price they can feel good about. And on top of that, Greater City gains as well. Well done!

As I have looked through Modern Aquarium over the past several months, in particular the “GCAS Happenings” page toward the back of the issue, I’ve been struck by how many members of Greater City have been speaking at other clubs around the region. Many of our members are also members of some of these other clubs as well, and some of our member/speakers may even consider a different club their “home” society. I see that less as a source of competition between organizations, and more as a cause to consider ourselves very fortunate that so many of our members have the dedication and time to devote to multiple clubs, and to thus be a treasured resource to aquarists all through our region, and even beyond.

In recent months we’ve been treated to talks by several of our star members, including Mark Soberman, Jeff Bollbach, and tonight, Ed Vukich. We’ll also soon hear talks from Joe Ferdenzi and, following the winter break, La Monte Brown.

My hat is off to these gentlemen. It takes time, skill, knowledge, and practice, as well as some more intangible qualities, to prepare and deliver a presentation that will both hold the attention of an audience of fellow fishkeepers, and leave that audience feeling that they’ve benefited from the time they spent listening.

Thanks, gentlemen; you are assets to Greater City and to the hobby.

Dan


EQUIPMENT:

1 Eheim 2217 Canister filter $1251 Emperor 400 Bio-Wheel HOB Power Filter $301 Coralife Turb Twist 18 watt with 3 extra (never used) UV bulbs $501 Coralife Superskimmer 125w/ pump $1002 Solarmax 36” HO double-T5Lighting System w/Moonlight $159 ea (new)All nearly new, in original boxes. Call (631) 563-1404------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Moving to Florida125 gallon tank fully equipped w/wood stand-30030 gallon tank fully equipped w/iron stand-50Contact Steve Dash: (516) 889-4876 noon till 8pm------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Filters:Eheim 2076 (for tanks up to 90 gallons) $200Marineland C-160 (tanks up to 30 gallons) $50Call Temes: 718-468-1569

Member Classifieds


GCASThanks You!

our generous sponsors and advertisersThe Greater City Aquarium Society extends our heartfelt thanks to the following manufacturers for their generous donations. Thanks also to our advertisers, whose contributions to our success as a Society are deeply appreciated. Please patronize our supporters.

Aquarium PharmaceuticalsAquarium Technology Inc Ecological Laboratories HBH Pet ProductsKoller-CraftKordon, LLCMarinelandMicrobe LiftOcean Nutrition AmericaOmega SeaRed Sea

Rena Rolf C. Hagen San Francisco Bay BrandSeachemZoo Med Laboratories Inc.Cameo Pet Shop Coral AquariumNassau DiscusWorld Class AquariumZoo Rama Aquarium


The G.C.A.S.

Proudly extends a most Warm Welcometo

Our Guest SpeakerED VUKICH

Speaking onCichlid Breeding Tails


As a young boy, Edward Vukich’s father raised mollies and other fish in bathtubs in the backyard of

his Brooklyn home in the 1930s, and so it was natural when Ed, at the age of twelve, followed in his Dad’s footsteps with his first 20-gallon tank. Situated in the family den, the aquarium housed various fish over the years such as silver dollars, angelfish, and pink convicts. Ed looks back with nostalgia at the aquarium equipment of the time, such as an outside bubble-up filter, and battery-operated siphon with a netted bag that spewed the mulm back into the tank.

After Ed had been out of the hobby for a time in his life, his brother, Anton, another renowned GCAS member dear to our hearts, offered to purchase a tank for Ed to encourage him to return to the aquarium world. Originally, the tank was to be 55 gallons, but as a 75-gallon tank has the same dimensions, naturally the brothers went for that! Ed soon had his new tank outfitted and his rejuvenated passion took off as he filled

this tank with clown loaches, Corydoras spp., angelfish, and a red tailed black shark.

Currently, Ed maintains many tanks in his basement, and the inhabitants are as varied as his interests, including Corydoras spp., Ancistrus spp., livebearers, guppies, and numerous cichlids. All of the stands are


made by hand and as Ed continues to build more, his collection is growing ever-larger.

Excelling at inducing his fish to breed, we all know and are most grateful for the bounteous harvest that comes from Ed’s fishroom. His tremendous generosity over the years goes a long way in making the monthly GCAS auction table overflow with fabulous finds! Along with any task

that comes his way, Ed serves in the role of GCAS Recording Secretary, as well as our exemplary auctioneer.

Always ready with a smile to lend a helping hand, Ed is a treasured and integral part of the GCAS. We proudly extend a warm welcome to Ed tonight as he presents Cichlid Breeding Tails!

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY) September 2010 9Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY) September 2010 17

When Three’s NOT a CrowdIntroducing an additional fish to

induce spawning behavior in Betta speciesby ALEXANDER A PRIEST

Some species of fish are known to be “haremspawners” (referring to a single male withmultiple females). For some other species, a

“trio” one male with two females” is considered tobe an ideal breeding group.

The ideal breeding group for most membersof the genus Betta is one male/female pair Thisarticle is about inducing spawning in various Bettaspecies in the home aquarium by, among otherthings, adding an additional fish to the mix. Imake no claim as to the applicability of this articleto other species (e.g., cichlids, livebearers,killifish, catfish, etc.). Before adding a third fish toa potential breeding pair, there are a few things youneed to consider:

Male/female pairIs it possible you don’t even have a male and

female of the same species? In some Betta species,the differences between males and females are verysubtle, as are the differences among the species.Misidentification of members of the CoccinaComplex, which includes Betta brownorum, Bettaburdigala, Betta coccina, Betta livida, Bettaminiopinna, Betta persephone, Betta tussyae, andBetta rutilans, is fairly common. Instead of a pairof Betta coccina, you might actually have a maleB. coccina and a female B. brownorum. While thiscombination might spawn, it is not desirable froma species maintenance perspective, and while youmay not be able to tell the difference, the fishcertainly can (which could be the cause of theirreluctance to spawn with each other).

In some Betta species, a sub-dominant malein the presence of a much more dominant malemay take on the coloration of a female or ajuvenile for protection. I’ve seen this happen withBetta macrostoma.

A short-finned male Betta splendens couldeasily be misidentified as a female, especially ifthe fish had a light colored body. making the “eggspot” on the abdomen (a sure sign of a female)difficult to see. I’ve even seen a supposedlyknowledgeable judge at a fish show disqualify alight colored, full-finned female Betta splendensbelieving it to be young male splendens.

AgeAre your fish old enough to spawn, or

perhaps too old? Do some research on the speciesyou are keeping. There are some significantdifferences among them. What applies to oneBetta species does not necessarily apply to another.If your fish are too young, you need to havepatience. If they are past the optimum breedingage for the species, they may still spawn. but onlytime will tell (patience, again!).

Nutrition and HealthThe more well-nourished your fish are, the

more likely they will spawn. Generally, live fooddoes the best job of conditioning Betta species forspawning. Frozen worms and frozen enhancedbrine shrimp are acceptable substitutes if you don’thave a source of live food.

Also, check to see that your fish are notshowing signs of disease, parasites, ormalnutrition. Clamped fins, loss of body color,bloating, protruding scales, sunken in abdomen,frayed fins, cloudy eyes, hanging out at the surfaceof the water, problems in swimming, lack ofappetite, or unusual light, dark, or fuzzy spots,may be signs of a health problem that should beaddressed immediately.

EnvironmentOnce you have a well-fed boy and a girl old

enough and healthy enough to “do the deed,” youneed the right atmosphere. I have previouslywritten about a tank setup for breeding Bettasplendens1. I have also discussed the importanceof caves for spawning mouthbrooding Bettaspecies.2

Water quality is always important. Keepdoing those water changes. If you have a newlyacquired species (whether wild-caught, ortank-raised by someone else), try to replicate asmuch as possible the water conditions the fishcame from (and don’t forget to ask about watertemperature and amount of water movement, asthese should also be replicated).

Let’s say you checked off all the itemsdiscussed above, and your fish still show nointerest in spawning; now you might consideradding an additional fish into the mix. To avoid

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY)10 September 201018 September 2010 Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY)

anthropomorphism (attr ibuting humancharacteristics to non-humans), whether a fish canbe “jealous” (a human characteristic) or not isunimportant. Nonetheless, there appears to be aninnate drive to pass on one’s own genes, and theprospect that another’s genes may take precedenceoften provides an additional incentive to spawn.

But, you wanted that particular pair tospawn. Well, it can still happen. You can “add” afish by putting it in a clear container (including ajar or hurricane lamp sleeve with an openingabove the water) inside the spawning tank. Oftenjust seeing a rival fish will induce spawning (if youdon’t have another fish, you can even try a mirroron the outside of the tank!).

In bubblenesting Betta species, it’s generallythe male who initiates the spawning by building anest of bubbles, coaxing the female to the nest site,then guarding the eggs until they hatch and the fryare free-swimming. It therefore makes sense thatmales in bubblenesting Betta species tend to bemore territorial and aggressive (as is also true tosome extent, and for the same reasons, forbubblenesting gourami species).

In mouthbrooders, the female generallyinitiates spawning and will often guard the cave inwhich the male is brooding (all Bettamouthbrooders are paternal mouthbrooders). Sothe females of mouthbrooding Betta species tendto be more aggressive and territorial.

As a general rule of thumb, add an additionalfemale to induce spawning in bubblenesteringspecies, and an additional male (a “reverse trio”) toinduce spawning in mouthbrooders. However, inspite of all you do, sometimes you’ll have toconcede that your pair are just not compatible.Good Luck!

1 Modern Aquarium, December 2009, also at:http://www.faas.info/download/pub_awards/2009/008_best_spawning_under_500_words_2009.pdf

2 Modern Aquarium, August 2010


MA ClAssiCsIn this installment of our series showcasing articles from past issues of Modern Aquarium, we feature a piece from the December, 1968 issue, showing us a recipe for a nutritious, home-made fish food.




Refreshments Get the

& Food Available Best Fish!

18th Annual New Hampshire Aquarium Society

(FISH & DRY GOODS)

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Newington Town Hall Nimble Hill Rd., Newington, NH

Directions on back

Auction will begin at 12Noon. Arrive early for viewing.

If vendors would like to set a minimum bid on any of their items, a non-refundable $1 charge will be applied per item. Bump-ups are $2.

Preregistering of lots is appreciated. Mail preregistration sheets to Bill Janetos, PO Box 32, Rollinsford, NH 03869 by Sept 10 or email to [email protected] by Sept 17. Less waiting for labels!!!!

Donations accepted or Sell your extra fish & equipment, 60/40 split. For more information & sheets

Call Bill Janetos (603) 749-2667 or E-mail at [email protected]

Call Norman Brandt (603) 642-5074 or E-mail at [email protected]

Visit NHAS’s Webpage at www.nhaquariumsociety.com

AUCTION

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY) September 2010 1524 September 2010 Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY)

You Know You’re an EXTREME Aquarist When by Susan Priest

When you buy aquatic plants at a fish club auction, this is not a sure sign. When you pull a fewplants out of your aquariums and contribute them to a fish club auction, this is not a sure sign.BUT, if you keep small, medium and large grow-out tanks for your aquatic plants so you canfind just the right size of java fern when you want one, then you know you are an EXTREMEaquarist!

Changing the water in your betta bowls is not a sure sign. Performing partial water changes onyour aquariums is not a sure sign. BUT if you use a baster to dribble the potent water from thebottom of your betta bowls onto your houseplants, and you siphon the “used” water from yourtanks directly into your watering can so you can pour it onto your vegetable plants, then not onlyare you an EXTREME aquarist, you are an extreme gardener as well!

Having a bucket labeled “FOR FISH, NO SOAP” is not a sure sign. Having a bucket labeled“FOR SOAP, NO FISH” is not a sure sign. BUT when you have to move the fourteen “NOSOAP” buckets out of the way so you can use the one “NO FISH” bucket to mop the floor, thenthere can be no doubt; you are an EXTREME aquarist!

Buying spring water in gallon jugs doesn’t mean anything, even if you buy them in three-packs.BUT if you have put your toaster oven and your juicer into the cupboard to make room for adouble row of gallon jugs on your kitchen counter which contain “aging” tap water, then you aremost assuredly an EXTREME aquarist! (Further evidence would be if you know which jugsaren’t aged enough yet, and which ones are, and you always have a couple of empty “spares” forwhen one springs a leak.)

What does it mean if there is dust on your stove or your vacuum cleaner? Nothing in particularunless you combine that with the fact that there is NO dust on your Python or your air pumps.Simply stated, an EXTREME aquarist is probably not an extreme housekeeper, as well!

When you go to your favorite store, The Dollar Zone, you spend at least fifteen minutesevaluating the many kitchen utensils as to their usefulness in your fish room, and you spend atleast half an hour evaluating the wide assortment of open as well as closed containers as to theirusefulness in water changes, as breeding “tanks,” and for transporting your fish (should you pickup an extra watering can?). The amount of time you devote to this is a pretty sure sign in itself.BUT, if you have to run back the next day because you lay awake all night wishing you hadbought some of those really cool iridescent glass “rocks” in the shapes of stars and crescentmoons to put in the moonlight gourami tank of your dreams, well, there can be no doubt that youare an EXTREME aquarist!

You know you are an EXTREME aquarist if you spend $30.00 or more on raffle tickets at themonthly meetings in hopes of acquiring, well, almost everything on the table! (I won’t mentionnames, but does a certain Gypsy Mermaid we all know and love possibly fit this description?)

Going shopping at pet stores that sell tropical fish is not a sure sign. Asking lots of questions ofthe staff just so you can let them know that you are more knowledgeable than they are is not asure sign. BUT showing up at the store with your own extra thick plastic bags, your ownassortment of nets in different sizes and with bends in the handles at varying positions, and yourown bottle of Stresscoat, well, you simply can’t deny it; you’re an EXTREME aquarist!

You know you’re an EXTREME aquarist when your out-of-town visitors ask you to take themto your favorite tourist attractions, and you take them to Joe Ferdenzi’s house, Harry

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY)16 September 2010Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY) September 2010 25

Faustmann’s house, and Ed Vukich’s house, with a stop at Harsha Perrera’s Zoo-Rama Aquariumstore on the way home. What’s that? You say you would like to go to the Ripley’s Believe It OrNot exhibit in Times Square? Maybe we can find time to do that the next time you are in town.(They did ask me to take them to my favorites!)

If, among the bubbling box filters, the splashing spray bars, and the waterfalls pouring out of thepower filters, not to mention the air conditioner as well as the water dripping into the dish ofworms in the sink, you can actually hear the thermostats in the heaters going on and off in yourfish tanks, then you simply must admit to yourself, as well as the rest of us, that you are theMOST EXTREME of all aquarists!!!

If one or more of these EXTREME scenarios describe you, then you might want to spend a littlemore time with your family. I’m sure they miss you!


Cichlidically SpeakingYour Link to the

American Cichlid Associationwww.cichlid.org


First appearing in the February 2001 issue of the American Cichlid Association’s Buntbarsche Bulletin, my ‘Cichlidically Speaking’ column ran until August of 2005. Its commentary covered current ACA news, as well as relevant cichlid research and conservation efforts. As your ACA Club Delegate, I continue to bring you that column here in the pages of Modern Aquarium. Let us think of it as ‘Volume II,’ or now on its second year with the GCAS, ‘Volume III’?!

The ACA and Buntbarsche Bulletin: Past into PresentA passion for cichlids and the desire to share their experiences and knowledge amongst the warmth and

camaraderie of like enthusiasts brought an ambitious group of the great pioneers of the aquarium hobby together in 1968, forming the American Cichlid Association. It all began as the brainchild of Dr. Albert J. Klee, and was followed up by Dick Stratton, ACA Founding Fellow and TFH magazine’s celebrated and recently retired ‘Question & Answer’ columnist for a quarter of a century. Dick’s initial invitation to future members of the ACA opened with the salutation ‘Buntbarsche Buddies,’ which quickly evolved into a numbered letter entitled Buntbarsche Bulletin, and we know what that led to!

AA CC AA CC oo nn vv ee nn tt ii oo nn 22 00 11 11Mark your Calendars Today!

ACA Convention

July 21―24, 2011

Hosted by the Capital Cichlid Association

Held at the Crowne Plaza in Silver Spring, MD.

Just minutes away from Washington, DC!

(And…to my added excitement, minutes away from where I grew up in Maryland! (*!*) )

Check for updates at www.cichlid.org!

It’s all about cichlids, and cichlidophiles.

My bags are already packed and I can barely wait to see you there!


With enormous appreciation to the efforts and dedication of those who have come before, the ACA and BB have seen major growth and change over the past 40 years. What began as a hand-typed newsletter and experienced the days of hand-pasted pages of black and white, is now a glossy, full-color magazine with a future ahead that is as wide open as its future was in the mid 1980s to early 1990s for Editor Wayne Leibel as he sat at his desk, cut-and-pasting each issue by hand.

In 2008, a new face and new touches came to BB as we welcomed Dan Doerner of TechnaPrint as our graphics designer. It has been a great pleasure to work with TechnaPrint over the years as our printer, and a particular joy to have them on board on a greater scale in placing the issues together for our members.

Thus began a new chapter for BB, and for the ACA new chapters also continue to be written. Steve Edie accomplished the Herculean feat of compiling a BB index, now available at www.cichlid.org, and Ted Judy has initiated Club Liaison benefits, such as the ACA Cichlid Breeder Recognition. Zoo Med generously stepped up to assist our clubs with the cost of bringing in an ACA speaker. Our hats are off, with many thanks, to Zoo Med!

Recently we had the great fortune of Alex Calder, a website guru in shining armor, walk into the life of the ACA. A self proclaimed ‘Code Monkey’ Alex is taking the inner workings of the ACA website by storm and performing miracles that are currently being unveiled. The extraordinary feats that Alex is accomplishing are regenerating the very roots of the future of the ACA. He is a true gem! Please be sure to stop in often at www.cichlid.org and see what all the talk is about!

Positive growth and change for the ACA—yet some things will always remain the same—most especially the warmth and fine friendships that brought our forefathers together four decades ago, and which remain as deep among us today.

Hoplarchus psittacus (Heckel 1840)

Photograph by Oliver Lucanus

Winner of this Year’s ACA Spawn of the Year Contest!

Hoplarchus psittacus (Heckel 1840)Owner: Mark Chaloupka

CONGRATULATIONS, Mark!!!


Buntbarsche Bulletin Convention Issue!Traditionally, the October issue of BB is filled with fun news and a recap of the annual convention.

You won’t want to miss out on what fish won each class and division, as well as Best in Show and Reserve in Show, the Ron Georgeson People’s Choice Award, the Patrick Mahoney Award, and the new C.A.R.E.S. Show Award. Then, of course, you have the Mike Sheridan Tankbuster Award that goes to the most stunning and exceptional behemoth cichlid in the show, always a favorite amongst the crowd! Who took the award home this year? Find out this and so much more in the upcoming October issue!

Slate of Nominees for BOT 2011

Brantley Berry Eric Hanneman Ron Coleman Andy Hudson Rich Dietz Alan Rollings Joe Fleckenstein John Van Asch

News On The Cichlid Scene

Photograph by Klaus Steinhaus

Geophagus sp. ‘Tapajós red head’ A relatively small eartheater at 20 cm (7.9 in), Geophagus sp. ‘Tapajós red head’ resides in acidic

waters that rise up to 12 m (39 ft) during the rainy season. The currents are moderate, running over a sandy substrate of basically sand with some mud, which may also include wood, and in some places, rocks (Weidner, 2001). Be sure to read about the maintenance and breeding of this stunning delayed mouthbrooder that turned Klaus Steinhaus, an Old World enthusiast, to the New World, on page 4 in the April 2010 issue of BB, Number 257.


Until next time…

Keep on Enjoying Your Cichlids!Claudia

A Warm Welcome to ACA C.A.R.E.S.Conservation

Awareness

Recognition and Responsibility

Encouragement and Education

Support and Sharing

Register in ACA C.A.R.E.S. today! E-mail [email protected]

http://www.cichlid.orgThank you for your invaluable contribution

towards preserving our fish for generations to come!!!

Because of you, we are making a difference

PPhotograph of Lake Malawi by Claudia Dickinson

Join the ACA!Be certain that you are a part of the ACA by sending your dues through PayPal to

[email protected] you may prefer to print out the membership application at

www.cichlid.org and send it to:Marty Ruthkosky

ACA Membership Chair43081 Bond Court

Sterling Heights, MI 48313Please feel free to contact me during our meetings with any questions that you may have,

or e-mail me at [email protected]. I’m sure you will find becoming involved

with such a special group of individuals as rewarding as I have!



GCAS Happenings September

Here are meeting times and locations of some aquarium societies in the Metropolitan New York area:

GREATER CITY AqUARIUM SOCIETYNext Meeting: october 6, 2010Speaker: rusty WesselEvent: Mexico - The Panuco Valley: Livebearers and

Cichlids of the RegionMeets: First Wednesday of the month (except January &

February) at 7:30pm: Queens Botanical garden 134-20 dahlia ave (at Main st.) - Flushing, NY Contact: dan radebaugh (718) 458-8437E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.greatercity.org

BIG APPLE GUPPY CLUBMeets: Last tuesday each month (except Jan, Feb, July,

and august) at 7:30-10:00pm. alley Pond environmental Ctr.: 228-06 Northern Blvd. Contact: donald Curtin (718) 631-0538

BROOKLYN AqUARIUM SOCIETYNext Meeting: september 10, 2010Speaker: Jeff Bollbach Event: A Year In The Fish RoomMeets the 2nd Friday of the month (except July and august)

at 7:30pm: NY aquarium - education hall, Brooklyn, NYCall: Bas events hotline: (718) 837-4455Website: http://www.brooklynaquariumsociety.org

LONG ISLAND AqUARIUM SOCIETYNext Meeting: september 17, 2010Speaker: Joseph graffagnino Topic: The History of Catfish in Africa and South AmericaMeets: 3rd Fridays (except July and august) 8:00pm. greenhouse Meeting room, holtsville ecology Center,

Buckley road, holtsville, NY Email: Margaret Peterson - [email protected]: http://liasonline.org/

EAST COAST GUPPY ASSOCIATIONMeets: 2nd tuesday of each month at at 8:00 pm. alley Pond environmental Ctr.: 228-06 Northern Blvd. Contact: gene Baudier (631) 345-6399

NASSAU COUNTY AqUARIUM SOCIETYNext Meeting: september 14, 2010Speaker: tBaTopic: TBD Meets: 2nd tuesday of the month (except July and august)

at 7:30 PM Molloy College - Kellenberg hall ~1000 hempstead ave -

rockville Centre, NYContact: Mike Foran (516) 798-6766Website: http://www.ncasweb.org

NORTH JERSEY AqUARIUM SOCIETYNext Meeting: september 16, 2010Speaker: dr. Jordan Topic: MbunaMeets: 7:30 PM Lyndhurst elks Club, 251 Park avenue,

Lyndhurst, NJ 07071Contact: NJas hotline at (732) 332-1392e-mail: [email protected]: http://www.njas.net/

NORWALK AqUARIUM SOCIETYNext Meeting: september 16, 2010Speaker: Karen randall Topic: Fish and Plants for the Community TankMeets: 8:00 P.M. - 3rd thursday of each month at:

earthplace - the Nature discovery Center - Westport, CtContact: John Chapkovich (203) 734-7833Call our toll free number (866) 219-4NasE-mail: [email protected]: http://norwalkas.org/

Unofficial 2010 Bowl Show totalS to date:Mario Bengcion 17 al PrieSt 16 roBert haMje 10 harry faUStMann 1

richard waizMan 1

A speciAl wArm welcome to new members wAllAce Deng, gerry Domingo, sherwin nonAy, AnD Johnson oropezA!

Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S (NY) September 2010 23Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY) September 2010 17

In spite of popular demand to thecontrary, this humor and informationcolumn continues. As usual, it doesNOT necessarily represent theopinions of the Editor, or of theGreater City Aquarium Society.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13848395@N08/1403341691/

Making FashionStatements

A series by “The Undergravel Reporter”

The New York Times recently did an article on“The Six-Figure Fish Tank,”1 about custom-built aquariums costing, well, six figures.

The owners of these tanks usually pay someone elseto do tank maintenance, and are more concernedwith mood lighting than biotopes, speciescompatibility, conservation, or animal husbandry.For them, the aquarium is a showpiece, braggingrights, a way to “one up” the neighbors.

Professionally designed and maintained tanksshould, at least in theory, mean that the fish, plants,and any invertebrates are receiving adequate care.They might do some good if someone seeing one ofthese show aquariums is encouraged to become areal aquarist,

But, I doubt that the goldfish inside the sole ofa woman’s shoe (top right photo) is in anythingeven approximating a healthy environment. At leastthe “portable fishbowl” (photo below and to theright) has some air space above it, even if it lacksfiltration. When will people learn that fish areneither ornaments nor toys?

1 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/garden/19aqua.html?_r=1&hp


24 September 2010 Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY)

Fin Fun

This is for all those aquarists who insist on giving the linguistically challenged of us (who can barelyremember the common names for the residents of our tanks) the scientific names of every fish and plantin their care. Below is a chart with the common names of some popular live fish foods on the left. Seeif you can match them up with their corresponding scientific names on the right.

Common name Scientific name

Blackworms Artemia salina

Brine shrimp Panagrellus redivivus

Fruit flies Turbatrix aceti

Grindal worms Lumbriculus variegatus

Microworms Daphnia pulex

Mosquito larvae Culiseta longiareolata.

Tubifex worms Enchytraeus albidus

Vinegar eels Drosophila melanogaster

Water fleas Enchytraeus buchholzi

Whiteworms Tubifex tubifex

Answer to our last puzzle: Fish Bones No bones

Cuttlefish X

Spiny Eel X

Hermit Crab X

Puffer Fish X

Red Tailed Black Shark X

Ramshorn Snail X

Anemone X

Anemone Fish X

Starfish X

Mosquito Fish X

Leaf Fish X

Crayfish X

Documents

Modern Aquarium September 2010