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.................................................................Stiphodon Elegans

Something Fishy ..........

Newsletter of the Great Salt Lake Aquarium Society

We are excited to be on a consistant schedule for the second Thursday of the month at The Living Planet Aquarium 725 E. 10600 S. in Sandy.

Mike Hellweg is speaking September 9.

Mike is a very good speaker(we booked him for this meeting two years ago).

Anyone who reads Tropical Fish Hobbyist or Aquarium fish magazine somewhat regularly will no doubt recognize the name Mike Hellweg. Mike’s writings also appear in many other publications. He is a lifelong aquarium hobbyist, an expert breeder, and an aquatic horticulturist who shares his knowledge at clubs and conventions. He has one book out now, and a second will be released later this year.

Mike will be speaking on care and breeding of freshwater pipefish and halfbeaks. There are not many people out there who have successfully worked with either of these too fishes, and to find someone who can give a well-organized presentation on them is almost unheard of. Even if you have never thought of keeping these fish, this presentation promises to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't miss this great meeting.

Don't forget the auction comming in October

2009 Officers President: Mike Dennis , Clinton 774-5085       Vice President: Mack Fullmer , West Jordan 280-6514 Secretary Treasurer: Tony Hembrock, Syracuse 825-6451


 


    

 

Fishkeeper of the Month

Congratulations to Stephen for being named February’s Fishkeeper-of-the-Month! Stephen answered a series of questions related to his hobby, let’s read what he has to say: 1. How did you get started?  I have always like nature and animals, especially birds. (I am an avid bird watcher.) A friend had an aquarium with tiger barbs and blue gouramis. My interest and enthusiasm (i.e., addiction) started there. 2. When did you get started? When I was 14, 43 years ago. (Am I that old?) I saved my lunch money (30 cents a day) for three months to buy my first aquarium, a used 15 gallon from a neighbor. 3. How many tanks do I have? 38, ranging from 60 gallons to 1 gallon. Most are in the 15 - 20 gallon range. 4. What is your largest tank? 60 gallons. 5. What kinds of fish do you currently keep? I currently maintain 67 species. Here is the list:
Anabantoids - Badis Badis badis, Betta smaragdina, Black Paradise Fish Macropodus concolor, Paradise Fish (red and albino) Macropodus opercularis, Croaking Gourami Trichopsis vittata, Giant Gourami Colisa fasciata, Honey Dwarf Gourami Colisa chuna, and Moonlight Gourami Trichogaster microlepis 
Barbs and Danios - Flying Fox Epalzeorthynchos kalopterus, Goldfish Carassius auratus, and Pearl Danio Brachydanio albolineatus Catfish and Loaches - Busy-nosed Plecostomus Ancistrus sp., Clown Loach Chromobotia macracanthus, Dwarf Loach Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki, Green Cory Corydoras aeneus, Julie Cory Corydoras trilineatus, Dwarf Otocinclus Otocinclus affinis, Pygmy Cory Corydoras pygmaeus, and Skunk Loach Yasuhikotakia morleti Cichlids - Anglefish Pterophyllum scalare, Buterfly Cichlid Anomalochromis thomasi, Apistogramma borelli, Archocentrus centrachus, Biotodoma cupido, Cichlasoma portalegrense, Cryptoheros nanoluteus, Cryptoheros spiluris, Geophagus sp. “Rio Tapajoes Red Cap", Gymnogeophagus rhabotus, Hemichromis cristatus, Hemichromis lifalili, Herotilapia multispinosa, Julidochromis orantus, Julidochromis regani, Julidochromis transcriptus, Kribensis Pelvicachromis pulcher, Lamprolgus ocellatus, Mesonauta festivus, Neoloamproglous brichardi, Neolamprologus brevis, Neolamprologus multifasciatus, Neoloamproglos similis, Orange Chromide Etroplus maculatus, Pseudotropheus saulosi, Bolivian Ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosa, Ram Mikrogeophagus ramierzi, and Severum (red-shouldered) Heros severus
Killifish - Striped Panchax Aplocheilus lineatus
Livebearers - Alvarez's Swordtail Xiphophorus alvarezi, Montezuma Swordtail Xiphorus montezumae; Wild Green Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri “gunetheri”, Birchman's Swordtail Xiphophorus birchmanni, Variatus Play Xiphophorus variatus, Cayman Limia Limia caymanensis, Girardinus metallicus, Gambusia holbrooki, Gambusia vittata, Goodeid sp., Guppies (Japanese Blue and Endlers) Poecilia (Lebistes) reticulatus, and Shade Livebearer Xenophallus umbratilis Tetras - Glowlight Tetra Hemmigrammus erythrozonus, Neon Tetra Paracheirodon innesi, Cardinal Tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi, Lemon Tetra Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, Rummy-nosed Tetra Hemigrammus bleheri, Marbled Hatchetfish Carnegiella strigata, and Two-linned Pencilfish Nannostomus bifasciatus Though not into the high-tech end of it, I also like aquarium plants and planted tanks. 6. What is your favorite fish? A hard question. That is my problem. I can narrow it down to three: (1) Ram Cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, (2) Honey Dwarf Gourami Colisa chuna and (3) Montezuma Swordtail Xiphophorus montezumae. 7. What have you learned since you started keeping fish that you wish you would have known when you first started? Regular and substantial water changes is the first rule for successful and sustainable fishkeeping. When I neglect water changes I can count on trouble. Using a variety of high quality foods is the second rule of success.
8. Where are you from?
A Utah boy. Born in Heber City. Grew up in Orem. Currently living in West Valley City. 9. Where are your tanks in your home? In my basement in a small "fish" room (8' x 11'). Fortunately I have a sink/water in my fish room. My fish share their room with a number of turtles and tortoises. 10. Does your family share your passion for fish? A polite interest, but not a passion. I do have a very understanding and supportive wife. My fish room is a favorite place of my grandkids, who like to feed the fish. 11. If money was not a factor, what would be your dream tank? A large South American biotope aquarium, with the full range of fish and plants; dwarf cichlids and tetras to discus and angelfish. 12. What plans do you have for your future fish keeping? Several things: (1) Continue maintaining and expanding the "wild type" livebearers species I have, like Doug Judd is doing. (2) Focus more on breeding other species (e.g, anabantoids and tetras). I would like to try discus, more South American dwarf cichlids and killies. (3) Be more diligent in maintaining a quality environment for the fish I do keep. 13. Anything else you would like people to know about you? I love the hobby. For me it has been a great source of friendship, education and relaxation. Thanks Stephen for sharing your hobby with the rest of

us at the GSLAS!