editor’s note
Debbie Connelly
As it has been said several times over the years in these “From the Editor” musings, the only thing that stays the same is
change. But there is an equally well-worn
corollary to that maxim that I have found
also holds true: The more things change, the
more they stay the same. And so it is here at
TFH where, after a three-issue absence from
these pages to concentrate on developing
this company’s digital communications program (a function I will
continue to serve as part of my new role), I am excited to return as Editor-in-Chief of TFH Publications, Inc. As we approach our 60th anniversary
issue this September, it’s clear that this magazine and the aquarium hobby
itself have great things ahead of us!
It’s time for our annual springtime Livebearer Issue—timed to coincide
with the American Livebearer Association (ALA) Convention, this
year being held in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida (more at www.
ala2012.com)—and we are proud to feature an impressive lineup of
articles supporting the theme. Longtime staples of the aquarium hobby,
livebearers are as diverse and varied as the fishkeepers who enjoy
raising them. Kicking off this month’s livebearer celebration is Charles
Clapsaddle’s “Life with Livebearers” column, with a look at the dusky
goodea (p. 30), one of a group of species threatened in the wild but
being actively bred in captivity through the efforts of a few dedicated
enthusiasts, including the author.
Another big name in the world of these little fishes is longtime friend
and TFH author Ted Coletti, PhD, so it is with great pleasure that we
present an informative excerpt from his book Aquarium Care of Livebearers
(p. 54) from TFH Publications’ Animal Planet TM Pet Care Library series.
And rounding out our livebearer coverage are two fascinating pieces
from renowned aquarists and longtime TFH writers—one on fishes fast
disappearing from their native range in the highlands of central Mexico,
“The Genus Characodon” by Mike Hellweg (p. 60), and another on those
popular mainstays of the aquarium hobby (and this month’s cover fish),
“Magnificent Mollies” by Bill Allen (p. 66).
And of course, this being TFH, there is so very much more to enjoy
in this month’s coverage of all things aquarium. Takashi Amano’s Nature
Aquarium series (p. 48) is as vividly evocative and meticulously crafted
as the author’s stunning aquascapes—it is hard for me to believe that it
has been seven years now since I met Mr. Amano in New York City and
asked him to share his gift for beautiful planted layouts with TFH’s readers
on a monthly basis.
On the saltwater side of things, we have this month’s installment of
“Adventures in Aquascaping” from Mr. Saltwater Tank himself, Mark
Callahan (p. 38), James Fatherree’s look at lobsters for marine setups
in this month’s “The Salt Mix” (p. 42), and the “The Top 5 Marine Fish
for Beginners (and 5 Species to Avoid)” from Edward Adam Jackson (p.
86). And on the lighter side, don’t miss our exclusive interview with the
madcap aquarium-installation maestros of Animal Planet’s Tanked (p. 82).
All in all, the main thing that comes to mind as I look over where we’ve
been both as a magazine and as a collective of aquarium hobbyists, and
where we’re going as my fellow staff members, writers, and readers of
TFH approach our 60th anniversary celebration, is: It’s great to be back!
Albert Connelly, Jr.
Editor-in-Chief
TFH Publications, Inc.
readers’ forum
Facebook Readers Respond
What would be your number one piece
of advice to give to someone interested in
fishkeeping?
Patience! Don’t rush things; you’re developing an environment!
An-Shih Mark Lee
Remember that every tank, every fish, is an individual and should be
treated accordingly. What works for one doesn’t always work for another.
No two will ever be identical. And patience is the key to success. Get
informed, and do your research using multiple sources before you believe
or do anything!
Dawn Moneyhan
Find a fish you like, understand what it requires (no oscars in a
10-gallon), and then focus on water changes and enjoying the fish.
Shawn Carlson
Make sure you have the right food for each species in your tank, and
don’t feed flake food all the time. They need other supplements too.
Maria Day
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Practice makes perfect.
Michael T. Snider
To send a question or comment to “Readers' Forum,” email letters@tfh.com. All letters sent to
TFH may be edited and published at the discretion of the editors and publisher; due to the
volume of mail we receive, we are unable to respond personally to all communications,
but every message is read.
I have found that it’s better to go with fish that will be able to thrive in
the “natural” pH that comes directly out of your tap water from home. You
can do a water test right out of the tap to find this out, but treat the water
with de-chlorinator, of course, before adding it to your tank. I have lost
many a fish trying to replicate pH that was next to impossible to maintain,
buying endless gallons of R/O water from the LFS and additives to keep
the water suitable. I have eight aquariums of various sizes, from 10 to 75
gallons. In the end, I have very hard water and have found cichlids to be
the best match for me. Even though I love angelfish, discus, cory cats, etc.,
I cannot have them. I finally did my research and found that this is the
best match for me, and my fish are much happier as well! I also agree with
weekly water changes.
Wendy Myers
Buy a tank big enough to house your fish comfortably when they are
fully grown. That also goes for pet stores. I hate seeing huge fish in tanks
that don’t allow them to swim and sometimes turn around. I would also
like more pet store owners to tell their customers how big a fish will get.
Frankie Bjj
Be aware that tanks are just like potato chips—you can’t have just one!
Denise Kalchuk Fogler
Read as much as possible, and remember that this hobby is not only to
make your home look better... it is a huge responsibility to care for the
animals.
Diego Jiménez Bustamante
4 www.tfhmagazine.com
May 2012