| Let me begin by offering my sincere apologies for the late arrival
of the past two issues of CICHLID News. Production work at
the Florida publishing offices of Aquatic Promotions was hampered by hurricanes
Katrina and Wilma, delaying both the October and January issues. Katrina
caused a week’s delay, while the blow from Wilma knocked out power for
two weeks, and telephone service even longer. The utilities have since
come back on-line, and we are always available through email at: cichnews@aol.com.
Some of the most desired and exciting species in the hobby today can
be traced back to die-hard hobbyists who took the leap and collected fish
in the wild. Highlighting this tradition, this issue features three articles
that involve observing fish in nature and “bringing ‘em back alive.” First,
the well-traveled Jeff Cardwell presents an account of a recent trip to
Bolivia and the myriad of species encountered there, including a new species
of Pike cichlid. Next, working just to the north, Juan Miguel Artigas Azas
brings us a detailed account of the Mexican species Herichthys tamasopoensis
in its natural habitat. Rounding out the trio, Portuguese hobbyist Miguel
Figueiredo brings us an article on collecting and breeding the so-called
Jewel of Bijagós, a Hemichromis species he encountered off
the coast of Guinea Bissau.
Now what do you do with the fish once you get them home? You try to
breed them, of course! Leigh Kissane brings us an article on the captive
care and breeding of a fish from the oft-misunderstood genus Petrochromis,
in this case P. sp. “Red Fin Longola.” For the mbuna fans, Jason
Selong gives his experiences with Pseudotropheus pulpican, the fish
formerly known as P. sp. “kingsizei.” And for those looking for
something less boisterous from Lake Malawi, Pam Chin presents a how-to
article on the breeding of fish in the Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
group.
So, as always, sit back and enjoy this issue of CICHLID News;
I hope it satisfies your thirst for the beautiful and/or rare.
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