 |
|
|
| Welcome to a new year of Cichlid News. The January issue typically
arrives at a time when many are in the midst of the winter doldrums. But,
it also arrives at a point when we cichlid keepers tend to spend more time
indoors maintaining our aquariums and trying to breed that newest acquisition.
Although the simple relaxation of observing your fishes makes a great diversion
from the less-than-enjoyable weather that many of us are experiencing,
few things can take you away like a great read. Luckily, this latest issue
of CN contains just that.
I hope some of you were fortunate enough to get a new tank during the holidays, because first up is Lee Newman sharing his experiences with keeping and breeding Retroculus xinguensis. An impressive feat, his spawning and photography of this basally-positioned South American cichlid should inspire anyone not already familiar with genus. Next is Juan Miguel Artigas Azas, continuing his series of articles on the cichlids of Central America. Coming off a well-deserved one-issue rest, this round treats us to his observations of Cryptoheros spilurus. With the New World bases squarely covered, the latter half of this issue takes us to Africa. Thomas Andersen, a name known to aficionados of Ectodini, relates his experiences with Asprotilapia leptura. Subtle in coloration, yet beautifully odd, this algae grazing denizen of Lake Tanganyika’s rocky coasts is not to be passed up. Speaking of Africa, how can we do so without mentioning our very own Ad Konings? This month Ad takes up an enlightening discussion of the development of paedophagous behavior in Malawian haplochromines. Now most of you will be familiar with the great African Rift Lakes, but the continent also holds a number of other, smaller water bodies that deserve our attention. Lake Bermin in Cameroon is one such place. Part of a group of volcanic crater lakes located in the highlands near the border with Nigeria, the lake is home to a flock of closely-related Tilapia species. My editorial colleague, Claudia Dickinson (of the ACA’s BB) provides a wonderful summary of these endemic wonders. Even if Santa didn’t bring you what you’ve always wanted (like a split-cane fly rod, cough, cough), you can always count on us here at CN to deliver the goods. 2007 is here and it’s shaping up to be a great year for cichlids. So, as always, sit back and enjoy this issue of Cichlid News.
I hope it satisfies your thirst for the beautiful and/or rare.
|
Ariel Bornstein, Editor
 |
