Blog

Interview about Cichlids

Recently, I did an interview conducted by Scott Wells, a cichlid authority with an informative website The Cichlid Stage. He questioned me about my personal history, planted tanks for cichlids, etc. You see, long ago I kept Tanganyikan cichlids. I have maintained a fondness for these fiesty, supremely intelligent fish and included a bit about their reproduction in my new book. (The females of one Lake Malawi species choose their mates by smell–not male color–via small odor peptides released by the male’s immune system. Heady stuff!) Photo from 1990 shows my 45-gal tank with a small colony of Tropheus dubosi and a beautiful golden male Lamprologous leleupi. Because I enjoyed these fish and working with Scott, I wanted to share his website and interview with my readers.

Talk in Florida

On Saturday (noon on July 12, 2025), I will be giving a talk to the PASCO County Aquarium Society. Haven’t given a talk in a LONG time, but Grant Eder (The The Garden of Eder, a major shrimp breeder and vendor) kept after me. Talk will be on planted tanks and my guppy breeding program.

Title of Talk:  Plants for Water Quality; Genetics for Fish Quality

Talk will describe my experiences over the years with various planted tank setups:  (1) simple 1-gal bowls; (2) large planted tanks with soil substrates and filters; and (3) fish breeding tanks.  The fish breeding tanks depend solely on plants to purify the water as they have no filters or aerators.  Finally, the last part of my talk will describe my struggle in breeding fancy guppies with greater longevity.  In my opinion, the aquarium hobby provides us with mountains of advice on maintaining water quality, but virtually nothing on breeding fish that are genetically robust. 

Selling My Guppies

Since 2017, I have been writing about breeding guppies. Finally, I have a stock of select older breeders from 4 different “families” that are producing progeny worth selling. Members of the families are from different matings. To avoid inbreeding, none of the pairings are between full siblings. These guppies have a lifespan 2-3 times better than when I started, and in my humble opinion, are gorgeous. Granted, it is easy to talk about how great your guppies are, but will they do okay in the hands of others?? After selling my guppies to a local aquarium store, the owner praised them with the following comment, “Your guppies don’t die.” Below is a video of one breeder family (4 females and 3 males).

My Rainbow guppies in a 10 gal with no filter or aeration. Just plants. These guppies are breeders selected for their beauty and longevity.

My Family History Book

I have now put the entire contents of my 2017 book Family History (1860-1950) of a Doctor’s Daughter onto this website. (See the ‘Family History’ page.) Photo shows my dad with me and his ship the SS Monterey. He was on his way to bring Australian “war brides” to their G.I. husbands in America. The family stories are given depth by weaving them with relevant historical events, heros, and heroines. Take a look!

New Book!

Announcing the publication of my new book: Aquarium Fish Reproduction.  Scientific Studies of Guppies and Other Fish (2025).  The paperback is now “live” on Amazon.com.  (Should have an eBook version within a month.) Description below:

“Reference book for aquarium fish breeding. Recent studies using genotyping, mate choice tests, and artificial insemination have revealed exciting new insights into fish reproduction. This full-color book describes the nuances of fish mating behavior, such as mate choice copying, habituation, rare male advantage, and cryptic female choice. Hobbyists learn how to balance the perils and benefits of both inbreeding and outcrossing. Book material is supported by hundreds of citations to scientific papers. Author provides simple, easy-to-understand explanations for complex, scientific concepts and includes her own experiences as a long-time breeder of guppies and other aquarium fish.”