The Greater Akron Society Tank Topics June/July 2010

This issue’s cover photos are just a cou- ple of pretty pond plant shots taken by Wayne Toven and Dave Williamson. Inside this issue: They really doesn’t have any thing to do with any of the articles inside, although President’s Message 3 there is a pond set-up article in there by Bud White Orin McMonigle. It just seemed like we needed a “pond theme” due to the time Editor’s Message 3 of the year. Think about getting outside Dave Williamson and getting wet! BAP/HAP 4 Wayne Toven Exchange 5 Wayne Toven Bowl Show 6 Ken McGill Anecdotal Koi Pond 7 Orin McMonigle Excutubg New Micropoecilia 8 Rich Serva Swap Meet 9 2010 GAAS Board of Directors Coming Events 10 President...... Bud White...... (330) 848-3856/bud@gaas-.net Vice President...... Jeff Plazak...... (330) 854-5257/[email protected] Meeting Notice 10 Treasurer...... Rich Serva...... (330) 650-4613/[email protected] Secretary...... Ron Drungil ...... (330) 929-7889/[email protected] Editor...... Dave Williamson...... [email protected] Important Dates Special Activities...... Ken McGill...... (419) 677-3405/[email protected] for 2010 BAP/HAP...... Wayne Toven...... (330) 256-7836/[email protected] Membership ...... Bob Miller ...... (330) 928-6028/[email protected]

Raffle...... Phil & Tiffany Hypes ...... (330) 327-6316/[email protected] March 7 Librarian ...... Michael & Michael Berger ...... (330) 789-9834/[email protected] Spring auction Historian ...... David Girard...... (330) 945-4606/[email protected] FAAS Rep...... Bob Cisney...... (330) 569-3234 July 10 & 11 Refreshments...... Bill & Linda Koleszar...... (330) 626-5660 Publicity...... Amy Mullens...... [email protected] Ultra Aqua 2010 Program...... Dan McMonigle...... (440) 476-4663/[email protected] 50/50...... Christina Biederman...... [email protected] November 7 Fall auction Check out our website: www.gaas-fish.net P ag e 2 Tank Topics

THE GREATER AKRON AQUARIUM SOCIETY

WHO ARE WE? We are a local group of aquatic enthusiasts. Formed in 1952, the Greater Akron Aquarium Society is a non- profit, non-commercial organization. Our membership ranges from the beginning hobbyist to the advanced aquarist with many years of experience. The goals of our club are to promote the care, study, breeding and exhibition of aquarium related aquatic life and to promote interest in the aquarium hobby. MEETINGS: Our meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00 p.m. at the Mogadore Community/Senior Center, 3857 Mogadore Road, Mogadore, Ohio. It is located East of Route 532 across from McDonald’s in the former post office building. Visitors are always welcome, it costs absolutely nothing to attend a meeting and look us over. MEMBERSHIP: The cost is only $7.50 for adults, $10 for a couple or a family (includes children under 10 years of age) and $5.00 for a junior membership (10 to 17 years) Membership provides an opportunity to socialize with other that share your interests, a subscription to our bi-monthly magazine, library usage and more. AGENDA: Our meeting agenda is simple and informal. The meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. with a short business meeting. Immediately following is the program for the evening which usually lasts about 45 minutes. Our programs consist of a speaker, slide program, movie or perhaps a panel discussion always on a particular subject related to the hobby or various species of fish. Following the program is a short refreshment break. After which the winners of the Bowl Show are an- nounced, the Breeder’s Award Program fish are auctioned and tickets are drawn for the equipment and book raffles. THE BOWL SHOW: Each month members can bring in fish for specific classes to compete for first, second and third place awards. The charge for each entry is only $.25. Members also compete for annual awards by accumulating wins throughout the year. BREEDER’S AWARD and HORTICULTURE AWARD PROGRAMS: members can receive recognition for spawning species of fish or propagating aquatic plants. All that is required is to turn in a minimum of six fry from the spawn that are between 30 and 90 days old. Members earn certificates for each species and can work towards plaques in different categories. LIBRARY: At the library table are a number of books and other publications covering all areas of the aquarium hobby. Mem- bers may borrow the books for a month at a time. Also each month several books are raffled off. EQUIPMENT RAFFLE: The raffle table has such items as tanks, fish food and aquarium accessories that are donated by national manufacturers, area dealers or purchased by the Society. Tickets may be purchased by anyone attending the meeting. Save your losing tickets for the Christmas Party raffle. ANNUAL SHOW: The Ultra-Aqua show is held during the summer at the Tallmadge community Center. This has become one of the largest all-species shows in North America. It is an international gathering of hobbyists to display their fish in class competition, talk fish and to learn about the hobby from each other. TANK TOPICS: is published on a bi-monthly basis for the members of the Greater Akron Aquarium Society. Articles and comments for this publication are welcome and encouraged. Such articles are to be submitted no later than the board meeting prior to publication. All articles may be reprinted as long as the author(s) and GAAS are given proper credit and two copies of the publication containing the reprint are sent to GAAS. Please send any correspondence regarding this publication to: Editor/Tank Topics, P.O. Box 494, Akron, OH 44309-0494 or email to [email protected]

The Greater Akron Aquarium Society Membership Form

Name ______Age ______2 for 1 digital special!

Address ______New Renewal City ______State ______Zip ______Electronic Mail

Phone ______email ______Adult (18 years and older 1 year $7.50

2 years $12.00 How did you find out about GAAS? ______Family (includes children under 10) 1 year $10.00

Memberships are due one year from the date of joining. Completed mem- 2 years $15.00 bership forms can be turned in at a meeting or mailed to the membership Junior (10-17 years) 1 year $5.00 chairman at this address: 2 years $7.00

GAAS Membership Chairman, P.O. Box 494, Akron, OH 44309-0494 Dues Collected ______Date Received ______how they raise game fish. P ag e 3 President’s Message Man I wish I had the constant water flowing through my tanks like they do. Constant Well folks it's a really nice have confirmation from sev- clean water flowing 24 hours day as I write this and I hope eral vendors that they will 7 days a week! A lot of water we get many more of them attend and setup shop at the there, but they do raise a lot show. We will be hav- of fish. It was very interesting First of all I would like to ing Cory Fry with his great talk. See you at the meeting, announce that we are going to plants. Scott from Amazon host the American Livebearer Tropicals, he brings some of We did buy a new camera for Association Convention next the most hard to get fish. Rob the historian so we should be year. There will more infor- and Amy from Columbus, seeing some new pictures in mation about this as we get they have fish and reptiles. A the magazine and on the web- the details worked out. This member named Jen who runs site. Maybe even a good one will be a fun time, but it is a a bird rescue and maybe of me, but then any picture of lot of work. So if you are Stephan Tanner who has that me is good (GRIN). thinking you need something great sponge material. So plan to do next year, talk to Rich to be there and check out all Just a reminder don't forget to or me and let us know if you of the neat stuff, plan to buy take care of the fish as the would be available to help. some also. weather gets nice and you spend more time outside, they The plans for Ultra Aqua Our speaker last month was still need fed and water Bud White 2010 are well on the way. We Doug Sweet, he gave a talk on changes done.

Editor’s Message

think I was able to “Git-R- you may have already read Done” (sorry, I just had to use else where in this issues that that!) this time was the fact we (meaning GAAS) are the KEN’S FISH that I’m going to not be home hosts for next year’s Ameri- HOME OF QUALITY TROPICAL much over the Memorial Day can Livebearer Association’s FISH FOOD AND SUPPLIES

weekend this year. That is due Convention. We will be hold- to the fact that the American ing it at the same facility that

Killifish Association is having the AKA will be at this year their annual convention right (the Sheraton at Cleveland

Here we are again, the up the road in Cleveland this Hopkins Airport) so it would “Spring Fever” issue of Tank year. When it is that close, be a good time to come up Topics as I like to call it. For there is no way I’m going to and check out the lay-out so KEN MENARD (508) 823-4043 me it’s usually the toughest miss it. And besides that, I am we know what we'll be doing 32 4TH Ave. Taunton, MA 02780 one of the year to get done a member of the local affiliate next April. www.kensfish.com and out on time. Often I get club that is hosting it so I [email protected] side tracked with outdoor should be there to help out. OK, enough about conven- things like yard work (yecch!) Specialty clubs national con- tions already! We have a or more pleasurable endeav- ventions are great to check much more pressing issue ors like vacations (not hap- out even if you’re not really coming up before then, our pening any time soon!). But into that family of fish be- own Ultra-Aqua show on July anyway, thankfully this year I cause you’ll see things (and 10 & 11! Now is the time to was able to keep my focus have the opportunity to buy think about preparing fish for together and get it done in a them too!) that you’ll likely the show by separating them timely fashion. That includes never see in your local aquar- and pumping up the feeding a big thank you to the board ium shop or even at an all and water changes to get them members who have reports in species fish show. Who into their best condition. Call 330-966-8265 Tank Topics, I didn’t have to knows, picking up something Think about it, showing fish wait for or remind anyone this at one of these functions off that you’ve raised to oth- Monday-Friday 11-8, Saturday 10-7, Sunday Noon-5 time. I really enjoyed that! might just turn you into a ers can be a lot of fun.

wannabe specialist! This is 6989 Whipple Ave. NW Tank Maintenance One of the main reasons I leading into the next idea that I’ll see you at the Meeting! CANTON, OHIO 44079 Available Page 4 Tank Topics

will be awarded a 16 oz. can of brine shrimp eggs at the next meeting. A few more members are closing in on 10 spawns, keep working. The spring auctions are over BAP/HAP with now, but soon the summer auctions will begin, wow the time is flying by.

April 2010 Report Species Common name Class Points BAP Wayne Toven Phil & Tiffany Hypes Pseudotropheus saulosi Cichlid m.b. 15 Julidochromis ornatus Cichlid s.s. 15 Hope everyone had a happy “Cinco de Bob Miller Mayo”, our monthly meeting was the day Labidochromis caerueleus Electric yellow Cichlid m.b. 15 after, so we just missed it. Summer will be Ilyodon whitei Livebearer 10 here soon; just wish the weather would warm Frank Mueller up a little more, the ponds and tubs are still Julidochromis marlieri Cichlid s.s. 15 too cold to get the fish outdoors. The pond Neolamprologus brichardi Cichlid s.s. 15 plants however are growing like weeds, but HAP then again some of them are actually weeds. Frank Mueller Then before we know it our annual show Vallisneria sp. Currituck val A-vegetative 5 Ultra – Aqua 2010 will be upon us, luckily Vallisneria americana American val. A-vegetative 5 all the sponsorships for the classes are spo- Microsorium pteropus var. windelov D-vegetative 20 ken for, and thanks to everyone that is sup- Microsorium pteropus var. narrow leaf D-vegetative 20 porting us. Back to the business at hand, Microsorium pteropus Java fern D-vegetative 20 April was a good month for HAP submis- Anubias barteri D-vegetative 20 sions, and now May saw an exceptional num- Anubias barteri E-flowering 20 ber of spawns turned in, a grand total of 15, Vesicularia dubyana Java moss B-vegetative 10 from 8 individual members. This is the high- Cryptocoryne affinis C-vegetative 15 est total at this time of year that I have seen Lemna minor duckweed A-vegetative 5 since I have been chairman of the BAP/HAP. Let’s keep this momentum going and see if May 2010 we can get a record number of spawns for the BAP year, as we are only half way through it. For Miranda Boerema our Horticultural Award Program we had a reticulata Livebearer 5 members reach the level of Senior Aquatic Alex Drungil Horticulturist, they are Phil & Tiffany Poecilia wingei Endler’s livebearer Livebearer 5 Hypes, congratulations!! Speaking of Phil & Phil & Tiffany Hypes Tiffany Hypes, they also achieved the honor Ilyodon whitei Livebearer 10 of Master Breeder of Livebearers, by Lymnaea stagnalis Pond snail Aquatic 5 breeding 5 species of livebearers, again con- Planorbis corneus Red ramshorn snail Aquatic animal 5 gratulations, now they have to start on a spe- Dan McMonigle cialty plaque which requires breeding of 15 Poecilia wingei Endler’s livebearer Livebearer 5 species. Another member will receive the Pelvicachromis pulcher Red kribensis Cichlid s.s. 15 honor of Master Breeder of Cichlids, which Joe Reich required breeding 5 species of mouth brood- Pseudotropheus acei Yellow tail acei Cichlid m.b. 15 ers and 4 species of spawners, this vittata Cuban Limia Livebearer 5 honor goes to Joe Reich, congratulations Paracyprichromis nigripinnis Neon blue Cichlid m.b. 15 Joe!! Our first members to teach 10 spawns Cryptoheros cutteri Cutter’s cichlid Cichlir s.s. 5 for the year are Phil & Tiffany Hypes; they Geosesarma sp. Celebes Vampire crab Aquatic animal 15 Ameca splendens Butterfly goodeid Livebearer 10 Bill Schake Xenotaenia resolanae Leopard goodeid Livebearer 10 Dave Williamson Capoeta semifasciolatus Gold barb Barb etc. 10 HAP Phil & Tiffany Hypes Anubias minima E-flowering 20 Rich Serva Hygrophilla croymbosa var. Kompakt A-vegetative 5 Tank Topics June/July 2010 Page 5

Circle City Aquarium Club, Michiana Aquarium Society, Michiana Exchange Fancy Fins: Apr 2010 Tropical Times: Mar 2010 Breeding the Clown Killifish – Pseu- Two by Two by Two (fry raising), by doepiplatys annulatus in an Aquarium Dave Hemmerlein Report Setup, by Roger L. Sieloff Micropoecilia picta, by Matt Bielski Keeping and Breeding Crystal Red regani, by Matt Bielski Wayne Toven Shrimp, by Mike Matthews Apr 2010 I read many articles from club publica- Characodon audax, by Charlie Grimes Melanotaenia eachamensis, by Bud tions across North America, listed below Rambow are original articles by club members Eastern Iowa Aquarium Society, Nassau County Aquarium Society, that are worth reading. You can gain Fin Flap: May 2010 Pisces Press: May 2010 information on keeping and breeding Sterbai Catfish, by Dennis & Carol My Kribensis Spawning: Unlikely Tail of certain species of fish, aquatic , Sinselar Survival, by Artie Mayer tips on aquarium related items, and all Greater Pittsburgh Aquarium Society Water Quality, the Secret of Profession- kinds of other valuable information. If als, by Jules Birnbaum you see something you might like to Inc. Finformation: Mar 2010 Paracyprichromis nigripinnis, by read, let me know and I will get a copy Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, of it to you, either via email or a hard Roberto Prati Apr 2010 Cichlidae Communique: Mar/Apr 2010 copy at a monthly meeting. Nannacara anomala – the Golden Eyed Puntius ticto (Odessa Barb), by Stan Chechak Dwarf Cichlid, by Daniel Spielman Greater Detroit Aquarium Society, Cryptoheros sajica – the T-bar Cichlid, Tropic Tank Talk: Mar 2010 Rivulus sp. Pan 2006-24, by Regina Spotti by Daniel Spielman Corydoras similis – Smudge Spot Cory, by Carl Krajniak Sarnia Aquarium Society, Aqua An- The Simplicity of Producing Green Wa- Greater Cincinnati Aquarium Society, tics: Mar 2010 ter fro Your Daphnia ssp. or Fry, by Fincinnati: May/June 2010 My Experience with Neolamprologus Elmer Morehouse Neolamprologus helianthus, by Todd signatus, by Peter Melady Apr 2010 Leising What Do You Feed Your Fish? By Jack Hyphessobrycon elachys “Vielfin VanderAa Tetra”, by Lou Sandberg Hamilton & District Aquarium Soc.: Apr 2010 Apr 2010 Cryptoheros cutteri, by Peter Melady Aquarium Club of Lancaster County, Spawning the L-071 Pleco, by Charles Spawning Telmatochromis temporalis, Tank Tales: Apr 2010 Drew by Wayne Cole Breeding Pseudotropheus lombardoi, by How Big is That Aquarium? By Jack Matt Shaffer Kitchener – Waterloo Aquarium Soc., VanderAa A Visit to the World’s Largest Aquarium, Fins & Tales: Apr 2010 May 2010 by Joel & Robin Antkowiak Adventures in DIY – River Tank, by Melanotaenia Irianjaya, by Lisa Boor- The Gawky but Graceful Airplane Fish, Ryan Barton man by Bob Bock May 2010 PlantEd Tank: the Cover, by Ed Koerner St. Catharines & Area Aquarium So- ciety, the Scat: May 2010 Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pitteri), 2010 Spawn & Point Totals BAP Points HAP Points by Dave Furness Phil & Tiffany Hypes 10 100 1 20 Joe Reich 9 110 - - Wayne Toven 7 60 - - North East Dave Williamson 6 55 - - Bruce Fraley 5 50 - - Ohio Discus Dan McMonigle 5 45 - - Ron Drungil 3 25 - - Featuring Stendker Discus Rich Serva 3 20 1 5 Bob Miller 2 25 - - Bonnie & Mon-Sat 11-8 Frank Mueller 2 30 10 140 Sunday 11-6 Miranda Boerema 1 5 - - Nate Larson Alex Drungil 1 5 - - Hours by Appointment Only 6629 Engle Rd. Bill Schake 1 10 - - (330) 882-5158 Unit 108 Denny Bechter - - 1 10 [email protected] Middleburg Hts., OH Nick Rezac - - 1 15 (216) 433-3340 Page 6 Tank Topics

Ken McGill How the Point System works: Bowl Show & 1st - 4 points 2nd - 2 points Special Activities 3rd - 1 point 1 point per entry, Hey Folks! We've had some really great turn-out for the bowl maximum 12 points per class show lately. Jeff is really building a big lead with 70 points, but remember there are 36 points available each month, 12 in each 2010 Bowl class. Remember: you get a participation point for up to 5 (qualified) fish per class just for bringing them because we know Show Schedule it takes a little effort to wash the bowl, catch the fish, lug it to the January: meeting etc. And then you can get 4pts for a 1st place, 2 for 2nd Goldfish, Male Guppies, and 1 for 3rd. Give it a try! Since 1981 Minnows Danios & Rasboras

April Results: May Results: February: Female Guppies Goodeids Suckermouth Catfish, Swordtails, Characins 1st - Jeff Plazak 1st - Wayne Toven 2nd - Jeff Plazak 2nd - Wayne Toven March: 3rd - Bill Schake 3rd - Dave Williamson Barbs, Mollies, 745-3059 Corydoras Aspidoras & Platies Rift Lake Cichlids Large Selection of: Brochis 1st - Jeff Plazak 1st – Jeff Plazak TROPICAL FISH BIRDS 2nd - Jeff Plazak 2nd - Jeff Plazak SMALL ANIMALS April: REPTILES AMPHIBIANS Female Guppies, Platies, 3rd - Dave Williamson 3rd – Dave Williamson DOG & PET SUPPLIES Tues-Fri 12-7 Sat: 10-6 Aquatic Invertebrates Aquatic Invertebrates Aquatic Plants 196 2nd St., NW 1st - Jeff Plazak 1st - Wayne Toven (Downtown Barberton) May: 2nd - Dave Williamson Goodeids, Rift Lake Cichlids, Aquatic Plants 3rd - Dave Williamson THE FISH PLACE

141 Robinson St. June: Native Fish, Rainbowfish, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 (716) 693-4411 Name Total Male Bettas

“Largest Selection of Fish and Jeff Plazak 70 July: Plants in Western New York” Wayne Toven 32 Synodontis Catfish, Killifish,

Bill Schake 31 Angelfish & Discus Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 12-9 Sat. 10-6 Dave Williamson 13 August: Sun. 11-5 Ron Drungil 7 Owner - Cory Fry 3945 Highland Drive AO New World Cichlids, Over 300 display tanks, Michael Berger 3 Richmond, IN 47374 Amphibians, Specializing in those “Hard to Miranda Boerema 1 765-914-2174 / 765-488-1178 Fax Bog Plants Find” species with the best Bill Koleszar 1 [email protected] prices on the East Coast September: Gouramis & Anabantoids, Sharks & Loaches, Photography

October: Arts & Crafts, Marine Fish, All Other Old World Cichlids two turtles pet center November: highland square All Other Livebearers, 760 w.market All Other Egglayers, DAVE DANGEL Oregon Trails Plaza akron, ohio 44303 All Other Catfish ALL ODDBALL AQUATICS 4046 Fishcreek Road Stow, OH 44224 mon-fri 10-7 SALES@ALLODDBALL AQUATICS.COM (330) 686-2235 sat. 10-6 www.alloddballaquatics.com [email protected] sun 12-5 (330) 374-6765 Petjunction.net Tank Topics June/July 2010 Page 7

want to use the energy to run his pump all winter and I suggested he try a cheap The Anecdotal Koi Pond air pump (of course not being as cheap as me he bought the ten dollar one with Orin McMonigle two outlets and rated at 4 watts).

During much of the winter the water movement kept an 8" hole open on the surface but with many days in the 20s and a few feet of snow, nothing more than a pile of snow was visible from mid February to early March. I wondered if the air pump was still pumping air (it was located outside under an inverted plactic container).

When the snow finally melted I could see it was still running and there weren't any floating fish bodies. Over the next few days I saw all 15 goldfish and 5 koi (apparenly there was one more goldfish than I thought). The friend who also used the diffusers didn't lose any of his four koi. My dad who has a 2,400 gallon The beginning of spring in our area is room in his aquarium for something else. pond with more than a dozen 4-6" koi usually marked by the eventual thawing I was thrilled with the koi and eventually bought and ran an expensive heater all of a two-foot blanket of old, icy snow. picked up another three four-inch and winter but sadly all the fish were floating It's thrilling to finally see grass again one six-inch koi over the next few at the top when the snow melted. It was a even if it is brown and flattened. The weeks. bad winter for fish as another friend with melting snow and ice also uncovers cro- a large yard pond (40,000 gallons?) lost cus buds that shortly bloom and herald Winter was fast approaching and I was most or all the bass stocked. Lastly, a the season of new life. Many times this worried about finding all my fish dead in local reservoir used to have some mas- melt also reveals the floating bodies of the spring. My dad mentioned I could sive fish die-offs many winters, espe- favorite and beloved fish for the unfortu- buy a floating pond heater but it was cially when much of the water was used nate Koi pond owner. pretty expensive and took 250 watts to since lower water layers have increased run. The idea was to keep some of the organic loading. Since it is used by the Background surface clear of ice to allow for gas ex- water plant as part of the source water change. I was told that though cold- they bought massive diffusers a few I've wanted a pond for years but never so hardy fish rarely freeze in the winter years ago to improve the water quality much that I invested the time and they often suffocate as decomposing for treatment. It holds around 50,000,000 money. Last fall my interest finally over- leaves use oxygen and the frozen surface gallons. While other factors may be the came any objections. I bought a pre- prevents gas exchange. To me a heater cause we have not seen any winter die- formed plastic liner labeled at 120 gal- seemed like an expensive and round off of fish the last few years. lons and dug a hole. As usual the edging about way to provide gas exhange since was done in stones. For water movement a heavy season of snow and cold would Conclusion I bought a floating solar-powered lily offer an exposed surface area that would fountain. It had a tiny power head glued be minimal at best. I went to a koi pond I strongly believe that diffusers are im- to the bottom but only worked in full sun store and saw heaters for sixty dollars portant and helpful in keeping fish alive (if you walked in front of it and cast a but decided against it. I thought I might during the winter but despite a sound shadow it stopped working). It was inter- be able to provide much more oxygena- theory, all of my evidence is anecdotal. esting but not functional. I had consid- tion at a low cost using a normal air At this point I would not suggest some- ered keeping tropical fish in the pond pump and diffuser from the pet store. one who has been keeping their fish alive during the summer but decided to start Even when the water surface freezes air during the winter successfully using an- with goldfish since it was already too is still being pumped in. I bought a six- other method make any changes. How- cold for most tropicals. I started with a dollar air pump and half-dollar diffuser ever, I think further experimentation dozen feeder comets (fifteen but three and set it up in the pond. The air pump would show the use of diffusers is a didn't make the first week). Later, a uses only 1.5 watts compared to 250. At much cheaper and more successful friend gave me two three-inch comets the same time a friend of mind with a method than floating pond heaters or and a four-inch koi since he was making ~300gallon pond mentioned he didn't most water pumps. Page 8 Tank Topics

article is to describe my experience with breeding and keeping a Micropoecilia An Exciting New Micropoecilia that may or may not prove out to be Mi- Rich Serva cropoecilia branneri.

This is a tiny fish. Adult females grow then to the Atlantic Ocean. to around 3.5 cm in length and males appear to be a little smaller at 2 cm. Description of the species Both sexes are colored with a large oval- shaped black spot at the caudal-peduncle In 1926 Hubbs described a new genus, junction. An orange-red colored area Micropoecilia containing 5 different, surrounds the spot towards the posterior previously known Poecilia species - side. On the males a black mark can be This fish known as “species 2” is a Mi- bifurca, parae, picta, melanzona, and found along the dorsal outer ray of the cropoecilia-type poeciliid that closely branneri. The name Micropoecilia sig- caudal. An orange-red coloration lies resembles Micropoecilia branneri and nifies its reduced size as a difference below the caudal mark. The male’s yel- Micropoecilia minima. Having been from other Poecilia-like fish. This group lowish dorsal shape is triangular with a collected outside the known habitat of also differs from other Poecilia by dorsal long filament that reaches to almost the either species, it is best left identified fin location (more posterior location on end of the caudal. During courtship the only by its collection location. I had body), and gonopodium branching and male displays 6 thin vertical bars on the gotten my original pair from Dr. David hook shape. body starting on the dorsal surface cov- Reznick’s lab at the University of Cali- ering around 2/3 the depth of the body. fornia – Riverside. It was one of those In the 1963 paper by Rosen and Bailey, A reflective metallic sheen occurs be- lucky circumstances of being at the right the Micropoecilia were un-grouped as a tween the bars. The bars start on the place at the right time. The plan is to separate genus and they were again dorsal surface just anterior to the gono- maintain the culture at an additional site grouped with the along with ama- podium and range to the back of the dor- besides his laboratory. zonica, parae and scalpridens into a sal fin. subgenus Lebistes. The two species The fish were collected by Marcelo Pires bifurca and melanzona were combined Personal observations in the Mearim River drainage near the into parae. city of Ariri, Maranhao, Brazil on No- Dr Reznick was kind enough to share his vember 16, 2006, collection # In the 1993 paper by Meyer, Micro- culturing techniques with this fish. He CRM2006111601. Specimens were poecilia was again elevated to genus was using medium hard water and caught at a stretch of the Mearim River status and bifurca was again separated as mainly feeding Moina, microworms and by the road in water under the tidal influ- a distinct species. Anyway, if you want Cyclopeeze. Because my pH runs ence. This site was estimated to be a more detailed analysis of these papers, around 7.5 with around 125 ppm hard- about 8km from the larger portion of the I suggest that you read ‘The Strange ness I decided to set up their tank with Mearim River (ca. 3-4 km wide), which Story of "Poecilia melanzona"’ by James no adjustment to water parameters. The connects to the Bay of São Marcos and K. Langhammer. The purpose of my tank had a slight dusting of gravel on the bottom with a large wad of Riccia for Tank Topics June/July 2010 Page 9 cover. basically the staggered development of Molecular Phylogenetic Relation- embryos in the female. This allows ships and the Evolution of the Pla- My luck with keeping Moina and mi- more babies to develop within the fe- centa in Poecilia (Micropoecilia) croworm cultures flourishing was male during a cycle. With a drop of a (: ). sketchy at best; however, I did have baby every week or two, I would say that Mol. Phylogenet. Evol., 0 (eprint) daphnia going and microworms are usu- “sp. 2” may fit this grouping. According ally available at the local auctions. I to the Scrimshaw paper, Micropoecilia Meyer, M. K. 1993. Reinstatement of usually keep both frozen and freeze branneri, the closely related species, also Micropoecilia Hubbs, 1926, with a dried Cyclopeeze around so the fish shows signs of superfetation with devel- redescription of M. bifurca should not starve to death. oping embryos. (Eigenmann, 1909) from northeast South America. Zool. Abh. Mus. As luck would have it I have found a few Also, the best bet is to separate the ba- Tierkd., Dresden, 47, no. 10. additional foods to feed this fish. They bies from the parents. Although some of Pires, M. N., J. Arendt and D. N. do seem to do well on newborn Daphnia my babies have grown up in the tank Reznick. The evolution of placentas and freshly hatched baby brine shrimp. with the parents, I have seen the adults and superfetation in the fish genus Upon occasion I have fed them frozen chase the babies. What appeared to be Poecilia (Cyprinodontiformes: baby brine and decapsulated brine worse than the parents were the older Poeciliidae). Advance copy of shrimp eggs. One food that they seem to brothers and sisters. If I allow partially manuscript for Biological J. of the love is frozen blood worms. I have seen grown young to stay in the tank, I soon Linnean Society the babies swim around with a piece of found that no more young seemed to be bloodworm which is larger than the fry produced. This a problem that I have Reznick, D. N. 2009. Personal communi- itself. found with killifish that are allowed to cation. grow up in the parents’ tank; unlike the Rosen, D. E. & R. M. Bailey. 1963. The Speaking of fry, you can only expect one adult breeding pair the immature killies poeciliid , their structure, zo- at a time showing up every week or two. will predate heavily on newborn sib- ogeography and systematics. Bull. I have also found the females to produce lings. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 126, art. 1, pp. well for a month or so then turn off for a 1-176. few months. According to a 2009 paper References by Meredith, life history studies have Scrimshaw, N. S. Superfetation in Hubbs, C. L. 1926. Studies of the fishes shown the development of placentotro- Poeciliid Fishes. Copeia, Vol. of the order Cyprinodontes. VI. – phy and superfetation in some of the 1944, No. 3. (Sep. 30, 1944), pp. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michi- Micropoecilia species. According to Dr 180-183. Reznick this Micropoecilia does have a gan, 16, pp. 1-86. placenta based on their patterns of Langhammer, J, “, Strange story of. weight gain during development and Poecilia melanzona”. Livebearers photographic evidence that shows what (142); pp 10-11. looks like a follicular placenta. In addi- tion, Dr Reznick said that “sp. 2” Meredith, R.W., M. N. Pires, D. N. showed signs of superfetation, which is Reznick, and M. S. Springer. 2009.

Swap Meet Welcome to our Aquatic Classifieds - a place where you can list fish and aquatic items that you would like to sell or trade or are interested in buy W. E. T. FISH BAGS or trading for. There are a few simple rules to prevent HAVE: Sailfin Red Eye/ problems and abuses of the system: 50 100 Red Swordtails, Hifin Red/ Black Marble Swordtails, 1. You must be a members of GAAS to list either Haves 3 1/2 x 12 $3.00 $5.00 Albino Swordtails, Koi

or Wants. 6x18 $4.50 $7.00 Swordtails, Plumetail 2. No retail or commercial sales establishments will be Platies, Hifin/Plumetail 8x20 $4.50 $8.00 Platies, Lyretail and permitted to list. Crowntail Platies 10x24 $5.00 $9.00 3. Only hobby related items will be listed. 4. Ads are limited to six items only and may only be run 3 1/2- 1.5 mil All others - 2 mil See photos at for three issues of Tank Topics. (You must give the Wayne Toven www.platy-plus.com Editor notice before the publication deadline to have (330) 296-6322 or Rick Graham an ad re-run!) [email protected] [email protected] The Greater Akron Aquarium Society P.O. Box 494 Akron, OH 44309-0494

Meeting Notice - Do Not Delay Meeting Notice Thursday, June 3 Thursday, July 1 Program: John Oyer on Cichlids Program: Mary C Garvin, a biology professor at John Oyer will visit us from Brighton, Michigan to talk about the Oberlin College will present Living in the Vermilion hundreds of he and his wife Betty raise thousands of River Watershed. Plants and animals, both in and out cichlids in. This is an amazing talk with some twists to the cich- of the water interact with each other and the geology lid story that may be new to you. I was surprised by the cichlids of the area to create a fascinating picture, a whole that live so far south in South America that they are actually not tropical, but can tolerate very cool water for at least part of the book of fascinating pictures really. year. Something else may surprise you.

Bowl Show: Native Fish, Rainbowfish, Bowl Show: Synodontis Catfish, Killifish, Male Betta splendens Angelfish & Discus

All general meetings begin at 8:00 p.m. at the Mogadore Community/Senior Center

June 27 - SCALES Summer Sept. 26 2010 – Greater Coming Events Auction Perry Grange, Pittsburgh Aquarium Richville Drive Massillon, Society Inc. - Fall Auction OH. Info: Cal 330-448-0084, North Hampton VFD, 5149 June 19, 2010 – Great Lakes July 10 & 11 – Greater John 330-452-9027 North Pioneer Road, Cichlid Society - Summer Akron Aquarium Society - [email protected] Gibsonia, PA 15044 Auction Ultra-Aqua 2010 Show and Sept. 18, 2010 – Great Lakes PA Turnpike, Exit 4, Butler Masters Church, 771 East Auction Cichlid Society Fall Auction Valley, Go North-Route 8, 260th Street in Euclid. Regis- Tallmadge Community Masters Church, 771 East First light at East & West tration starts at 9 AM, auction Center, 80 Community Rd., 260th Street in Euclid. Regis- Hardies road turn LEFT Take starts at 11. All species, plants Tallmadge, Ohio tration starts at 9 AM, auction the first LEFT onto North and dry goods. Contact Dean For more information: Bud starts at 11. All species, plants Pioneer. Firehall is on at [email protected], White (330) 848-3856 and dry goods. Contact: Dean RIGHT 330-656-0079, Marty at 330- ([email protected]),[email protected]), Wayne at Merspainting@ netzero.net, 650-0237, Bill at 216-692- Toven (330) 296-6322 330-656-0079, Marty at 330- For more information: 9296 or Ron at 440-944-3245. ([email protected])[email protected]) or 650-0237, Bill at 216-692- Don Tuttle 724-327-5163 and web site: http://www. great- Rich Serva (330) 650-4613 9296 or Ron at 440-944-3245. Bill Sensor 724-845-7171 lakescichlidsociety.net ([email protected])[email protected]) web site: http://www.great lakescichlidsociety.net