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| This being my first issue of Cichlid News, I thought it
appropriate to share a little history with you about this venerable
publication. As a budding importer and wholesaler of African cichlids,
Laif DeMason, founder and proprietor of Old World Exotic Fish, felt he
needed a tool to help introduce and promote the very many new cichlids
that were pouring into the hobby at that time. At first he would mail
stock lists accompanied by photos of new fish to prospective clients so
they could put ‘faces’ to the names on the list. This proved successful
and it occurred to Laif that a color publication containing photos and
articles about these new fish might prove to be even more welcome. In October 1990 Cichlid News began as a one page photographic newsletter available only to commercial distributors of cichlids. It was expanded to the multi-page color publication you are now reading, in August 1991 and was made available to hobbyists as well. Thus was born Cichlid News which has been published quarterly since 1992 — now in its nineteenth year (July 2010 is the 74th issue). This now iconic information-packed specialist magazine for cichlid hobbyists was edited for fourteen years by Dr. Jeff Taylor who was responsible in large part for its success. He was followed in the editorial seat first by Ariel Bornstein (July 2005 – October 2006) and most recently by Dr. Ron Coleman (January 2007 – April 2010). I am pleased to now add my own name to this illustrious list of editors and have the opportunity to work with Laif, Ad Konings, and a stable of internationally-known cichlid experts and hobbyists who write for us, and to continue to provide you with the up-to-date information and glorious photographs you have come to expect. Thanks in advance for your help and support: I am truly delighted and honored to be the newest member of the Cichlid News team and tradition. |
Wayne S. Leibel, Editor  |
