club notes - st catharines and area aquarium society · saltwater fishes, 101 best tropical...
TRANSCRIPT
Club Notes
Our Mission Statement: Meetings of the St. Catharines & Area Aquarium Society are held on the first Monday of each month, 7.30p.m., at the Seafarers & Teamsters Union Hall, 70 St. Davids Rd. E. Thorold, Ont. No meetings are held on Mondays that are holidays. Those meetings are held on the second Monday. There are no meetings during the months of July and August. The Society, established in 1958, is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the task of promoting interest in the breeding, raising, maintenance and study of tropical fish, both at the beginner and advanced levels. The St. Catharines & Area Aquarium Society is a charter member of the Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs Inc. (CAOAC) www.caoac.ca . SCAAS is also a member of the Federation of American Aquarium Societies (FAAS). More news and information about St.Catharines & Area Aquarium Society can be found at http://www.scaas.info
2008 – 2009 Executive
Our next meeting will be held on December 01 at the Seafarers & Teamsters Union hall, 70 St. Davids Rd.E. Thorold. Start time is 7.30 pm ALL ARE WELCOME
This month’s program will be presented by Larry Johnson on African Cichlids
President – Ken Brady - - - - (905) 935-4716 [email protected] 1st Vice President – John Verhage – (905) 735-7776 [email protected] Reprint Policy
Any not-for –profit organization may reprint articles from“The Scat” provided credit is given both to the author of the article and to the St.Catharines & Area Aquarium Society (SCAAS) and that two copies of the reprinting publication are sent to : Exchange Editor, Pat Bridges 4 Crescent Dr. Welland, Ont. Canada L3B 2W5. Opinions or endorsements expressed in any article do not necessarily reflect the views of the
2nd Vice President – Bruce Hallet - (905) 934-7138 Secretary – Claudia Carthew - (905) 684-0394 [email protected] Treasurer – Wally Ebert - (905) 687-6907 [email protected] Past President & Editor DAve Unruh (905) 684-9860 [email protected] 2007 – 2008 Committees Aquatic Horticulture Awards DAve Unruh (905)684-9860 Archives Tom & Pat Bridges - - (905) 735-3352 [email protected] Auction Coordinator – Tom Bridges Auctioneer – open Breeder Awards – Tom Bridges CAOAC Representative – Tom Bridges Jar Show – Pat Shriner – - - (905) 354-1367 [email protected] Library – Gary Phelps - - - (905) 563-6523 Library - Jeff Phelps – - - - (905) 892-0248 [email protected] Membership Dues:
Family :$ 25.00 Single - $ 20.00 Junior - $ 10.00 (under 16) Seniors - $ 10.00 (over 65 )
Membership & Exchanges – Pat Bridges (905) 735-3352 Programs – open Press/publicity – Ken Brady - - (905) 935-4716 - [email protected] Raffle & Draws – Priscilla Heus - (905) 988-9741 Refreshments – Bruce Hallet - - (905) 934-7138 Web Master - Ken Brady
Inside This Issue Pg 2 - Club Notes, Executive & BOD list, Membership Dues Pg 3- Editors notes, Presidents Notes & Anagram For November Pg 4 – Jar Show Pg 5 – 7 Questions you should Ask Pg 6 - Scanning The Exchanges Pg7– Member Profile Pg 8 –International Freshwater Aquascaping Pg 12 – Member Ads Pg 13 – What SCAAS Members are Keeping Pg 14- Hagan Ad
Cover photo of Pseudotropheus demasoni Photo © by DAve Unruh
Editors Notes November has been a busy month for me & a frustrating one at times. The worst part was when I started loosing corals & anemones in my marine tank. I couldn’t remember doing any thing different until I thought back to adding a new multi-vitamin type concoction. I put a pad in that absorbs stuff out of the water & began doing water changes to reduce what ever was causing the problem. The tank is looking better, but it is aggravating to have lost the animals that died. The next disaster was when my computer died. Fortunately I had just finished the November Scat & had sent it too the printer so it was saved. I lost all of my programs but all of my documents, photos & music was still there. I made a quick trip to get a new computer. Thanks to Natatsha & Thomas at Summit for the great new computer. Anyone need a slightly used monitor? I understand they make great anchors for mid-sized ships. We are missing some old newsletters from our archives. If you happen to come across any old SCAT newsletters from the 1960’s,please give them to Bruce Hallet. He will copy them & return them to
you if you want. We are taking a hiatus from “50 Years Ago” for this month. But, enough of that. On to this month’s newsletter. This month we have two articles I reprinted (with permission) from Microcosm Aquarium Explorer [[email protected]]The first article is an excerpt from a book “101 Best Saltwater Fishes, 101 Best Tropical Fishes”. It’s a good reminder to only buy fish that we can reasonably expect to keep alive in our aquariums Also from Microcosm Aquarium Explorer is an article on the results from an International Freshwater Aquascaping Contest. These aquariums are incredible – you will enjoy seeing them & you may get some ideas on how to aquascape your own aquariums. For some great articles to read from other clubs make sure you read the Exchanges page on pg 6. A new feature that is done by Pam Dannyluck is ”What SCAAS Members Are Keeping” It is just that – a list of what fish, plants, etc are being kept by SCAAS members. To get your stuff listed contact Pam Dannyluck.
DAve
Presidents Message December 2008 Well here we are as the year closes and we are prepare for the Christmas season I just started wondering… do we buy our pets presents. Cat’s get toys and treats. Dogs get coats, boots and treats. Fish get? Well most likely they get new filters or maybe a bigger tank. But they don’t get to unwrap it. So perhaps we should just appreciate the faithful undemanding fish. They surely are the best pets of all. More seriously we have our Christmas meeting pot luck style treats and whatever you bring. I don’t see any dog clubs doing that so we must be the nicest pet
owners. Wink, Wink. Santa even makes a special trip to our Aquarium club. It’s also a time to thank everyone. This includes the members and guests coming out to meetings because that’s what it’s all about. It includes the committees giving us our raffle, auction, food, membership records, library and setting up the room. Also a great thanks to the executive who are always paying attention and keeping an eye on the future. Without all of these participants we would be well just not the great club we are. Merry Christmas and A happy New Year! Ken
Anagram for December Example: An anagram for this creature is: alpine alps The creature is: applesnail An anagram for this fish is: A wild sort The fish is: _______________________ Answer will be in the next newsletter. November’s anagram answer:
Crayon pad = Panda cory Fishy Anagrams provided courtesy of
3
JAR SHOW Jar Show Results Point structure – 1st – 6 points, 2nd – 5 points, 3rd – 4 points. 1 point for showing
4
Here is a Fish of the Month list so you can plan ahead to have an entry each month. Fish Of The Month September-----Corydoras & Catfish October -------Guppies & Tetras November-----Cichlids over 4”(old & new world) Not including Angels & Discus) December-----Swords, Platies, Mollies January--------Barbs & Anabantids February ------Loaches & Sharks March ---------Plants April ----------Angels & Discus May ----------Dwarf cichlids (old or new world)
June ----------Goldfish & Koi
Results from the November meeting meeting. There were 2 entries. Fish of the Month: 1st Claudia Carthew with a “Yellow Lab/Metallic Blue” Open Class Senior: 1st – Pam Danyluck with a Gold Mystery snail Best in Show - C. Carthru with a Yellow Lab/Metallic Blue
Fish of the Month First Place Open Class Senior First Place
7 Questions to Ask Before Buying A New Fish Reprinted from Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Question: Would you buy this fish? (See bottom of page.) JJPhoto.d
7. Is it considered easy or difficult to keep? Do you have the skills (and resources) to be sure it has a chance to thrive?
Do not be shy about asking these questions at your local fish store. These are exactly the same questions that experts and professional aquarists consider when thinking about acquiring a new fish species.
1. How large does it get? When it reaches adulthood, will it fit into the tank you intend to set up?
2. How aggressive is it? What sort of tankmates might it harm?
3. What does it eat? Does it have specific dietary requirements that will be difficult to meet or does it have a generalized diet?
4. Is it piscivorous (a fish eater). For marine fishes, is it reef safe if you have corals and ornamental invertebrates? For freshwater species, will it graze on the prize plants you want to keep or devour your prize shrimps or snails?
5. What are its habitat preferences? Is it a fish that demands lots of space? Does it have any special aquascaping requirements?
6. Is it susceptible to disease?
Excerpt from: 101 Best Saltwater Fishes, 101 Best Tropical Fishes.
Retrieved from "http://en.microcosmaquariumexplorer.com/wiki/7_Questions_to_Ask_Before_Buying_A_New_Fish"
Answer (from top of page): Most experienced aquarists steer away from the Bucktooth Tetra, known for attacking tankmates of all sizes, up to and including large Oscars. See species profile for details.
5
6
Member Profile
By Pam Danyluck Gary Phelps was born in St. Catharines in 1963 and grew up in the north end. He currently lives in Beamsville, and has for the past fourteen years with wife Jackie and their two sons Jake and Matt. He is a Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic for Defasco and has been with them for the past two and half years. Prior to working for Defasco he was employed at United Rentals for twenty years. Gary became a member of our club in 2004 and has been interested in fish since childhood. His father always had fish tanks when he was growing up. He keeps about four tanks right now. He does not have a dedicated fish room. So far his wife will only allow him a corner of the basement “ha ha”. Gary keeps mainly tetras, but his favorites are Kulhi Loaches and Rummy Nose Tetras. He finds their colors quite unique and they tend to school together. He also kept a Pigeon Blood Discus for years.
As for filters Gary uses a Box Trickle filter. Gary’s family enjoys his hobby. His wife likes the Discus, but prefers that Gary do all the work. His two sons enjoy coming to meetings with their dad. The youngest Matt has an aquarium of his own, which he keeps in his room. The occupants are an Algae eater and a tricolor shark.
Gary Phelps – photo by Jackie Phelps
Wanted ☺ Club members for newsletter profiles! I am still fairly new, so I don’t know all of you yet. It would be a big help if anyone willing to have his or her profile done would contact me. You do not need to be an expert fish keeper just interested in fish. Please contact me at: [email protected] or 905-562-3290.
7
International Freshwater Aquascaping Contest Winners
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Detail of the 26th place finisher. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
The 2008 "Olympics of Aquascaping"
TOKYO: In eight years, it has become perhaps the fiercest competition in the aquarium world, drawing 1,169 entries from 47 countries to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money and accolades for having aquascaped one of the best planted tanks on earth. The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2008 was hosted by Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd. and its founder,
Takashi Amano, the planted aquarium genius who has inspired countless thousands of aquarists to attempt to create their own underwater scenes with plants, rock, and driftwood. The grand prize winner of the contest 2008 is Cheng Siu Wai of Hong Kong. recreating a natural aquatic scene within the layout were highly graded this year again."
Observers noted that the classic Zen-like simplicity of early Iwagami three-stone layouts is being pushed to new horizons, with craggy promontories capped with moss, sunken miniature forests, and depictions of waterfalls, cascading streams, and underwater
mountains.
#1. Detail. Full view below. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
Grand Prize (World Ranking No.1)
Cheng Siu Wai (Hong Kong) Title: Mount Donha
Evaluation: This year's Grand Prize Winner is an Iwagumi layout, which uses hair grass and willow moss tactfully and expresses a unique world view. The color and texture of the stone is quite tasteful. The layout is highlighted by the arrangement of the materials with a fine attention to detail. The limiting of the variety of aquatic plants gives the layout a monotone green appearance which aids in the success of this layout. The choice of fish - Cardinal tetra swimming around a large 3 meter panoramic tank, matches the entire composition well. Many judges graded this composition highly, deducting few points allowing this composition to win the first prize. Aquarium: W300xD66xH84(cm) (W118xD26xH33 in) Aquatic Plants: Anubias barteri var. nana "Petite" Pellia endiviifolia ,Vesicularia sp. ,Eleocharis acicularis
Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon axelrodi ,Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi ,Otocinclus sp. Crossocheilus siamensis ,Neocaridina sp.
Full view
8
#2. Detail. Full view below. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
Gold Prize (World Ranking No.2)
Mr. Yutaka Kanno (Japan) Title: Beyond the Silence
Evaluation: The creator tactfully arranges slender pieces of driftwood and makes use of them within the layout. The present of Eleocharis vivipara in the background is visually effective and balanced well. We observe the highlights of the layout in the limited use of colors through stemmed plants and the dynamic application of slender driftwood. The use of moss in the layout contrasts the mossy wood with the barren wood nicely.
Full view.
Aquarium: W120xD45xH45 (cm) (W47xD18xH18 in) Aquatic Plants: Fantinalis antipyretica ,Eleochalis vivipara ,Glossostigma elatinoides ,Hemianthus calltrichoides "cuba" ,Vesicularia sp. ,Microsorium pteropus var.
Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon axelrodi ,Crossocheilus siamensis ,Genus Neocaridina ,Caridina japonica
#3. Detail. Full view below. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
Silver Prize (World Ranking No.3)
Mr. Hsu Yung Lin (Taiwan) Title: Passing Season
Evaluation: The imagery of driftwood covered with moss resembling a pine tree demonstrates originality makes this layout quite unique. Not only is this layout impressive due to original and unique imagery, it also displays distinct angle and positioning of driftwood within the aquascape. The creator brings out his highly skilled layout technique with a dynamic quality of the composition and detailed use and positioning of the moss. We see a unique quality within the layout influenced by Taiwanese culture.
Full view.
Aquarium: W127xD60xH60(cm) (W50xD24xH24 in)
Aquatic Plants: Cratoneuron filicinum ,Vesicularia sp. ,Sasaokaea aomoriensis ,Eleocharis minima kunth. Echinodorus tenellus ,Juncus repens Michx. ,Glossostigma elatinoides ,Eleochalis acicularis ,Ludwigia repens J.R.Forst.
Fish & Invertebrates: Nematobrycon palmeri var. ,Paracheirodon simulans
9
10
#4. Detail. Full view below. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
Silver Prize (World Ranking No.4) Mr. Cliff Hui (Hong Kong) Title: Destiny
Evaluation: In this layout, the creator's layout technique is notable. The combination of dynamic driftwood and stone on both sides is exquisite, and the opening in the center is very effective and successfully promotes perspective created between the foreground and background. Exposing the skin of the driftwood stretching out from Glossostigma is also visually striking. The layout composition as a whole is well balanced.
Full view.
Aquarium: W90xD45xH45(cm) (W35xD18xH18 in)
Aquatic Plants: Elatine triandra Schk. ,Glossostigma elatinoides ,Hemiathus micranthemoides ,Eleocharis acicularis ,Eleocharis minima Kunth ,Liaeopsis novae zelandiae ,Microsoienium tenerum Griff ,Vesicularia sp. ,Hypnum plumaeforme Wils
Fish & Invertebrates: Petitella georgiae ,Nannostomus nitidus ,Otocinclus macrospilus ,Caridina japonica Caridina cf. serrata “blue tiger”
#5. Detail. Full view below. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
Bronze Prize (World Ranking No.5)
Mr. Long Tran Hoang (Viet Nam) Title:Tranquility Place
Evaluation: Simplicity of the composition is highly recognized in this layout. The creator has organized the layout well, even though composing a panoramic layout is challenging. Yet, he could achieve better compositional balance if the stemmed plants on the left grow a little more and add volume to the layout. What we see in this layout is a sense of sincerity without distraction.
Full view.
Aquarium: W220×D60×H65(cm) (W87xD24xH26 in)
Aquatic Plants: Hemianthus micranthemoides ,Rotala sp. Coloratav ,Micranthemum umbrosum Glossostigma elatinoides ,Eleocharis parvula ,Didiplis diandra ,Ranunculus inundatus ,Fissidens sp. ,Java fern sp.
Fish & Invertebrates: ,Sawbwa resplendens ,Parambassis ranga ,Neocaridina heteropoda var. red
11
#6. Detail. Full view below. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
Bronze Prize (World Ranking No.6)
Mr. Lee Do Jae (Korea) Title: A Stony Mountain
Evaluation: A very energetic layout with a dynamic stone arrangement and distinctive plant application. The silhouette and texture of the stone could be more appreciated if the form of the stone is a little more exposed. The way the creator uses stemmed plants is very unique. But, it also makes the evaluation toward this aquascape difficult because the balance of the layout might be ruined once the plants start growing.
Full view.
Aquarium: W100×D50×H50(cm) (W39xD20xH20 in)
Aquatic Plants: Bolbitis heudelotii ,Microsorium sp. narrow ,Rudwigia brevipes ,Rudwigia repens Vesicularia sp..
Fish & Invertebrates: Hemigrammus erythrozonus ,Gyrinocheilus aymonier ,Neocaridina sp. ,Crossocheilus siamensis
Contest Grading Guidelines
The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2008 was closed for registration on May 31, 2008. A total of 1,170 submissions was received from 47 countries, this year; the number of contest participants outreached the last year's by 28 submissions, but the number of participating countries didn't quite reach last year's record-high 50 countries. The layouts were evaluated by 18 judges chosen internationally, and then, this year's world ranking was decided. The whole grading process was conducted impartially by the judges and so was the counting of scores by the contest committee. However, the evaluation of each judge primarily relies on his/her personal preference of the types of aquatic plant layout. It doesn't necessary become an absolute account of the layout.
#8. Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
The highest score of grading is 200 points; judging criteria mainly consists of "Artistic Impression Point" (maximum 100 points) and "Technical Point" (maximum 100 points divided into 5 categories for 20 points). In this contest, aquarist's skill of a long-term maintenance of layout is also in judges' great concern. Since the planted aquarium hobby involves various forms of life, we don't just appreciate the beauty of a layout shown right after its completion, we pay careful attention to observe how long the layout has been kept in a healthy condition. In that context, the following aspects of layout were, especially, strictly screened by the judges. First, the use of emerged plants and house plants which hardly survive in the water becomes the subject of point deduction. In order to avoid misuse of plants in a layout, one needs not only the composition skill but a good deal of correct knowledge about aquatic plants. Moreover, it requires a higher level of technique to grow plants healthfully. These aspects
of layout are judged under the criterion of "Creativity".
Entries in the 2008 Contest included 1,170 layouts from 47 countries, the top five being:
There was a debate over the use of very fine white cosmetic sand, such as Rio Negro sand. Due to the nature of this type of sand, excretions of fish and shrimps become more recognizable on white sand. The color of the sand turns more easily to a unpleasant greenish or blackish color because of the growth of algae and the spread of anaerobic bacteria inside an aquarium. It was pointed out that it's hardly kept brightly clean for a long period of time. Although the cosmetic sand used in the layout looks elegantly beautiful in the picture, the layout receives a tough evaluation from the judges.
• Japan (423) • Malaysia (120) • Taiwan (86) • Hong Kong (65) • Poland (63) • Among the others represented: U.S.A. (48);
United Kingdom (12); Canada (7 ).
Credits: From a release by Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd. All images Copyright © 2008 Aqua Design Amano.
To see the full article & more aquariums go to : After going through the rigorous grading process, the top ranked layouts were finally decided.
Microcosm Aquarium Explorer [[email protected]]
SCAT ADS SCAT ADS SCAT ADS SCAT ADS SCAT ADS SCAT ADS SCAT ADS
Looking for: old copies of Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine with articles on Killifish by Gary Elson Please CONTACT Pam Danyluck at [email protected] or 905-562-3290
FOR SALE $50
A solid wood, custom built aquarium stand, painted black. The aquarium is free with the stand, if required.
The stand holds a 36x13 aquarium and there’s room underneath for another one. Call Tom at 905 735 3352
12
13
“WHAT SCAAS MEMBERS ARE KEEPING?” By Pam Danyluck
This is an up to date list of what our members keep and specialize in, including contact information.
To be added to this list, please see Pam to fill out a form or email her at [email protected]
DAve Unruh (905) 648-9860 [email protected]
Specialty: Cichlids Others: Plants
Marines Some Catfish
Some of the Fish I am keeping as of October 2008
Pseudotropheus demasoni - wild caught (wc) Neolamprologus marunguensis – (wc) Heros appendiculatus – (wc) Julidochromis marlieri “Gombie” - (wc) Pterophyllum scalare – Angel fish – (wc) Pseudomugil gertrudae –(wc) Symphysodon aequifasciata axelrodi (brown discus) – aquarium strain Hoplosternum pectoral (Hoplo Catfish) Pseudosphromenus dayi – (wc) Synodontis petricola Calloplesiops altivelis (Marine comet) Snowflake moray eel Gold Spot morray eel Anemones Amphiprion clarkia (clownfish)
Pam Danyluck
Specialty: Apple snails Albino BNS
Pomacea bridgesii(Mystery) Pomacea insularium Pomacea canaliculata Asolene spixi Long and short finned
Others: Livebearers
Domestic Platies Swords Mollies
Wild Types Ameca Splendens(endangered) Carlhubbsia stuarti
Pam Danyluck
cont’d Keeping as of October 08
Killifish: Fundulopanchax oeseri (endangered) Fundulopanchax gardneri makurdi Cories: Weitzmani Albino Bronze Dainty (habrosus) Pygmy (hastatus) Black Phantom aspidoras Red Cherry Shrimp Green Shrimp Assassin Snails
Tom & Pat Bridges
Specialty: Angels Anableps
Others: The fish we are keeping as of October 2008
Plecostomus Endlers Livebearers Limia perugiae Celestial Pearl Danios Columbian tetras
For more information see our website:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tp.bridges/home.html
Kevin Bonnar 905-680-
0473/[email protected] Specialty: Salt Water LPS - Large Polyp Stony
Acros regular & deep water
Softies – Zoas & Leathers
Clowns
Breeding Banghii Cardinals
Almost any high end coral
Bohdan Nebesny [email protected] Specialty: Red Belly Piranhas (10 years)
14