[Killietalk] It is supposed to be about the fish

["David Ramsey" <djramsey at earthlink_net>]

This list really needs to get back to 'the fish'. I always thought rare
meant in short supply. If there are not a lot of something, then it is rare,
and probably hard to come by.

I have on my web site some pictures of the Blue Gularis Loe variety. What an
awesome fish. I spent a fortune (to me) buying 2 pairs at an auction a
couple of years ago. I brought them home, put one fish each into 4 five
gallon tanks. I was taking no chances making sure these fish had the best of
care until I knew they had made it to my house safe. I had dreams of picking
eggs of these fish. Within a month all 4 had developed a case of dropsy and
were dead. Never even got 2 fish in the same tank, much less any eggs. 2
years later I still get at least one email a week from someone who wants
some Loe fish or eggs. Probably think I am lying when I say I don't have
any. That whole 'click thing' going on, you know. They think I have
thousands of them I am feeding and caring for just so I can tick off new
people and not let them have some fish. Truth is, if I had a dozen of them I
would sell them so I could go to the convention this year. But no, reality
is I spent over $140 for 4 fish that were dead in a month. Don't even know
what I did wrong to them.

Terrible confession time for me to the membership of the AKA. In the last
year over 1/2 of the Fundulopanchax species maintenance list participants
have vaporized. I mean the emails bounce or never get answered. They are
gone. They don't show as even being members this year. A lot of these people
were the self proclaimed 'newbies'. Those who procaim loudly that if given a
chance they will make us proud. I encourage new killie people to get
involved. These fish offer a great way to get your feet wet, and contribute
to a greater good. I sent lot of these people the fish to start out with,
giving them the fish and paying the freight.  Of the many who have left the
program, not a single one emailed me to say they were dropping out. Nor did
they offer to send the fish to someone else for the maintenance program. I
do not know what I could have done differently. But I have really failed the
AKA in heading up the Fundulopanchax end of the species maintenance program.
But to the members who are still in the Fundulopanchax group and the other
groups, still breeding and caring for the fish. I salute you. You are
breeders, not collectors. You are doing something, not talking. Your efforts
will mean there are fish for the next generation.
Oh, as always, looking for a few good men (or women) to join the
Fundulopanchax core species maintenance group.
David Ramsey  Lawrenceville, GA
djramsey at earthlink_net




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