ACA News, Volume 10, #1

January 25, 2024

ACA News

Volume 10, #1, January 2024

Editor: Alan De Angelo

Contact: [email protected]

Baby, if you ever wondered,
Wondered whatever became of me.
I’m lookin’ at the fish in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, ACA and me.

(sung to the tune of the WKRP theme song: youtu.be/2drv0joKUcA

It’s time to get ready to plan for the ACA Convention 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. You might even find Mr. Carlson aka "the Big Guy" roaming the halls of the fishroom.

Happy New Years!

Let’s hope that the new year brings us all good health, prosperity and great fishy experiences.

I have absolutely no qualms about stating that I absolutely love convict cichlids. Actually, all of the small- to medium-sized Central American and Mexican cichlids float my boat.

Amatitlania, Cryptoheros and Panamius are all great fishes. You know what, I’m going to include Rocio spinosissima in the mix too, even though they seem to be a bit more shy and retiring. Heck, let’s carry it a bit further and add the rainbow cichlid, Herotilapia multispinosa to the mix. While not one of the convicts, per se, rainbows are smaller cichlids that exhibit much of the same behavior. These stockier cousins are great fish that are often passed by because, like the original convict, they are very common and are assumed to have no financial value. If you value behavior, these are all great fishes.

Of the 15 or 16 of these fishes, depending on the status of A. coatepeque being a synonym of A. nigrofasciatus, I have had the pleasure of keeping and breeding 11 of them. Hopefully, I will be able to acquire the others to complete my goal of keeping them all. They are all awesome fish to work with. My two favorites are the regular old Convict cichlid and the Rainbow. The behaviors out of these two are fantastic. I have written before in my Adventures series about the 130-gallon tank I had with convicts and rainbows and all of the outstanding interactions that they provided. What a fun set up.

Get the whole story about these fishes in the Nov./Dec. issue of Amazonas Magazine. To subscribe, go to: amazonasmagazine.com.

Oh, one last thing: There are some who group all of these fishes as "convicts" and promote the indiscriminate cross breeding of them all. Please don’t do that. Keep the species pure so we can enjoy all of their individual differences.

Here’s an interesting little note: If you ask anyone in the States what the only North American cichlid was, they would probably answer the Texas Cichlid, Herichthys cyanoguttatus. Apparently, that would be an incorrect answer. There are a whole slew of Mexican cichlids that need to be included in that list because Mexico is actually considered to be a part of North America The aquarium hobby has referred to the seven countries to the south of Mexico and north of South America as Central America. It seems that Central America is also called Middle America. (Central, Middle, potato, potahto.) But, since the hobby has forever called it Central America, I will use the term Central America to avoid confusion. South America is anywhere south of Panama, at the Columbian border, in case you were wondering. Now, all of those westerns where the banditos called the non-latinos gringos (a contemptuous word) and Norte Americanos were wrong because Mexico apparently is considered a part of North America. Those banditos were Norte Americanos, too. It’s all so confusing, eh? But not as confusing as the genus Labeotropheus has become. As you will learn below.

KICK-S

Last time, Jan Benes sent a quick note and photo about the Kids in Cichlid Keeping activities, etc. But, did you notice? All of the KICK members were girls. Where were the boys at? C’mon guys, step up next year and get in the group. I’m sure that there are a lot of younger boys who would have a ton of fun at the next convention joining in with the KICK crowd. I have a hunch, though, that as these young ladies get a little older and the boys grow up a bit more, the KICK group will get more balance to it. So, parents, encourage your kids, both boys and girls, to get involved with the Kids in Cichlid Keeping events.

ACA Convention 2024 – Cincinnati, Ohio

The Cincy Mob is looking forward to welcoming you to the 2024 convention in Cincinnati, OH, July 25-28, 2024! Registration and hotel info will be posted soon.
cichlid.org

Labeotropheus

The genus Labeotropheus has been of much discussion lately and to help sort it all out, Ad Konings writes "A Taxonomic Nightmare – Labeotropheus" in the January issue of Cichlid News that has just come out. I will not attempt to summarize Ad’s article but urge you all to not only get a copy of the January 2024 issue of Cichlid News but to subscribe as well.
cichlidnews.com

First impressions matter. One thing that I have to point out is the fabulous cover photo on the January 2024 issue of Cichlid News. Ad Konings’ photographic skill really shows through here. The bold, vibrant, colorful, crisp image of L. trewavasae-Zimbawe Rock really catches the eye. First impressions really do count and this cover of Cichlid News is fantastic for that. (I wish the ACA website opened with a photo like this instead of that drab H. minckleyi shot that leads off the slide-show. My pleas to get it changed have fallen on deaf ears for years.) My second favorite image is of the L. fuelleborni-Katale, possibly L. chlorosiglos. What a great photo! Ad never disappoints. In fact, I heard a rumor that the kwacha bill in Malawi has "In Ad we trust" on it. But that is unconfirmed.

If you have already memorized the new names and have begun to list those fishes, you may need to get an eraser. Read Ad’s article to read his views.

Rest in Peace

Miles Neiman

While it is not my intent to list every person in the hobby that passes away, and we have lost many recently, it just came across my desk that Myles Neiman, long-time ACA member and former ACA BOT Chair has passed away. Myles contributed much to the hobby and will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.

NEWSFLASH – Back Issues

BB back issues are available for those who like to collect aquarium literature. Now, they are two issues for the price of one. That’s right, BB back issues that are normally $5 each are now on sale for 2 for the price of 1. A 2’fer!

This special offer will only last until 5/31/24. Now, I have to go back through my collection and see where I left off. I know that I am short the past two years of them and need to get up to date. Such a deal! Go to the Store section at cichlid.org.

And, yes, the back issues are all available on USB drive and on the website if you are a member in good standing, but there is something about the feeling of holding the actual BB in-hand that makes it better. You can get the USB drive under the Store section, as well.

*The Back Issues deal is not limited to ACA members so tell your friends and local clubs about this great opportunity to get hard copies of BB at a low, low price.

Buntbarsche Bulletin

I’m sure that Daryl won’t mind me bugging you about sending articles to him for inclusion in BB. The ACA even pays for articles, photos and illustrations. Contact Daryl at [email protected]. Start the New Year off right by sitting down and writing on any cichlid-related topic, long, short or in between articles are all welcome.

Don’t forget the special sale of Back Issues. Order them today!

Until next time,