Upcoming Events 8 pages 1 oz 10-14 pages 2 Sunday February 15 TFCEC Spring Auction at oz The Chicken Coop, VFW Post 8113, 299 Leydecker

Road, West Seneca, N.Y. 14224 Registration 9:30 am Auction at 11:00 am Tuesday February 17 TFCEC Monthly

Meeting at The Chicken Coop, VFW Post 8113, 299 Leydecker

Road, West Seneca, N.Y. 14224 Inside This Issue:

Meeting Starts at 7:00 PM Chariman’s Message Page 2

Mini Auction, Raffles, Program by Antonio Martina Membership Page 2

on Monster fish and the Psycho Room. Bowl Show Page 3 Bowl Show: Livebearers, AOV BAP/HAP/WAP Page 4 Do It Yourself by Jenny Walker Page 5

Julidochromis Regani by Chuck Mule’ Page 6 Sunday March 1, 2015 GAAS Spring Auction Skiffia francesae sp.Sayula by Chuck Mule’ Page 6

Tallmadge Community Center 80 Community Rd. Picture Page Pages 7,8 Classified Ads Page 9 Tallmadge, Ohio Secretary Report Page10

Mbuna Chart Page 11

Sunday April 12, 2015 Erie Aquarium

Society Spring Auction at new location Perry You can look but... Hi-Way Social Hall 8281 Oliver Road, Erie, Pa.

16509

Saturday April 25, 2015 Central NY Aquarium Society Spring Auction St. Matthew Over the Rainbow Child Care Center

214 Kinne St., East Syracuse, NY 13057

Sunday April 26, 2015 Greater Pittsburgh

Aquarium Society, Inc. Spring Auction http://www.gpasi.org

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If any meeting is cancelled due to weather, we to wait 60 days to turn in our fish as per BAP rules and my fish just wanted are registered at WIVB.com (Channel 4) to spawn in November. I am sure some of the rest of you will catch up I think I am getting the hang of using that microphone and I can very soon. only get better at running the meetings. Now that I am in this As always, we need HELP at the auction position, I have a greater appreciation for all the members that this month. The kitchen is looking for are doing so much work to keep the meetings running help and there are needs for setup, smoothly. Thank you to all of you that are helping and offering takedown, and runners during the to help. This is part of what makes the Tropical Fish Club of Erie auction. If you can help, even a little County spectacular! bit, it will make all our jobs easier. We finally came up with the Bowl Show categories for 2015 See you at the auction, during the January board meeting. There are two categories for Tom some months, but for others, there are three categories. On the months we run a bowl show, we will have an Any Other Variety category which allows you to bring any fish you want at any given month. New categories include photographs and arts and crafts. 2015 Officers Our club photographers were busy doing important work in place of absent members at the January meeting, therefore, we did not Chairman Tom Heisler [email protected] get any pictures taken during that meeting. I encourage everyone Vice Chairman Tom Rizzo [email protected] with a camera or phone to take pictures at the meetings and Treasurer Ed Osika Secretary Kim Ball [email protected] especially the bowl show and then send them to me at Ex officio Randy Seufert [email protected] [email protected]. We also need articles written by our Newsletter Editor Tom Heisler [email protected] members documenting your fish related experiences. Our members want to know about YOU! Board of Directors 2015 Term Tony Martina [email protected] I turned in four BAPs last month. I was not sandbagging. We have Jim Fitzgerald [email protected] Bill Wroblewski [email protected] John J Williams [email protected]

Board of Directors 2016 Term Peter Reukauf [email protected] Jack Mullen [email protected] Mike Culkowski [email protected] Larry Gibbs

Membership by Chris Hardy Dues Due in February: Darlene Baumann, Amanda Czechowski. Ann Fuller, For information on joining the club: Anthony Hartmann, Bob Kowalski, Julie Ludwig, Tyler [email protected] Mackey, Tony Martina, Kathy Mazur, Deann Newsham & Dan Saunders, Michael Pease, Tom Rizzo, Peter Schirrmacher, Jim Siegmann, Dawn Wetzel, Nancy Welcome New Members: Wojnowski Brenda Romanaw - Dec David Michael - Jan, Welcome Back David & Joanne Perez - Jan Overdue: Tom Mason - Oct, Nathan Pieroni - Oct, Rusell Arnst - Dues Due In January: Nov, Richard McEniry - Nov, James Mule - Nov, Casey Mark Baumgart, Robert Covert, Dawn Domagala, Kevin Egan, Newton - Nov, Brenda Tscetter - Nov, Brandon Vernen - Paul Hoffman, J Roger Ritzman. Josh Vito, Curt Young Nov, Rob McCall - Dec

Http://www.tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com You can find us on Facebook Tropical Fish Club of Erie County. Inc. Newsletter February 2015 Page 2 January 2015 Bowl Show results

Koi and Goldfish 6 entries submitted

1st place Platinum Butterfly Koi, Jenny Walker 2nd place Comet Goldfish, Dawn Domagala 3rd place Blue Oranda Goldfish, Eric Jensen 4th place Goldfish, Mike Culkowski

Any Other Variety 9 entries submitted

1st place Chocolate Cichlid, Bob Fessler 2nd place Cryptoheros Panamensis, Peter

Reukauf Butterfly Koi by Jenny Walker 3rd place Butterfly Goodeid, Donna Czarnecki 4th place Flameback, Bill Wroblewski

Fish of the Month Totals People’s Choice Jenny Walker 5 points Dawn Domagala 4 points Chocolate Cichlid, Bob Fessler Eric Jensen 3 points Mike Culkowski 2 points Bill Wroblewski 1 point Donna Czarnecki 1 point Bowl Show Categories 2015

January: Goldfish, Koi, AOV February: Livebearers, AOV March: Invertebrates, AOV April: No bowl show-Awards Banquet May: New World , AOV Any Other Variety Totals June: Characins, Photographs(taken by the entrant and preferrably Bob Fessler 5 points framed ), AOV Peter Reukauf 4 points July: Old World Cichlids, Killies, AOV Donna Czarnecki 3 points August: No bowl show-Family Picnic Bill Wroblewski 2 points September: Catfish, Loaches AOV Mike Culkowski 1 point October: Barbs, Fish related arts and crafts(done by the entrant), AOV Eric Jensen 1 point November: Anabantids, AOV Bonnie Gifford 1 point December: Red fish, Green fish, AOV John Buckaczeski 1 point *AOV=Any Other Variety of fish Tom Nuwer 1 point

Http://www.tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com You can find us on Facebook Tropical Fish Club of Erie County. Inc. Newsletter February 2015 Page 3 2015 HAP Totals 2015 BAP Totals Data submitted by Chuck Mule Data submitted by Tom Rizzo Christopher Hardy 75 Tom Heisler 60 Josh Vito 20 Donna Czarnecki 40 Ed Osika 15 Bill Wroblewski 25 Chris Hardy 20 Kendra Crumb 20 Robert Fessler 20 Bill Duzen 15 Hap Submissions for January Peter Reukaf 10 Data submitted by Chuck Mule Jason and Kimberly Ball 10 Christoper Hardy: Sandra Karsst 10 Anubias nana 20 pts. Aponogeton capuroni - Flowering 20 pts. Bacopa monnieri 10 pts. Ceratophyllum submersum 5 pts. WAP Point Totals from 2014 Echinodorus parvilous 15 pts. Jason and Kimberly Ball 50 Vallisneria nana 5 pts. Jenny Walker 40 Josh Vito: Chris Hardy 30 Staurogyne repens 10 pts. Josh Vito 20 Rotala macranda 10 pts. John Burdick 20 Ed Osika : Peter Reukauf 20 Echinodorus amazonicus - Flowering Kendra Crumb 20 15 pts. WAP Submissions for Jan/Feb Jason and Kimberly Ball: Pencil Drawing 10 pts.

Jenny Walker: DIY article 30 pts. BAP Chairmen: Tom Rizzo, Bill Wroblewski Chuck Mule’: Julidochromis Regani 30 pts HAP Charimen: Chuck Mule, Bill Duzen Chuck Mule’: Skiffia francesae sp.Sayula 10 pts WAP Chairman: Bill Duzen

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DIY for the aquatic enthusiast the silicone, I use smaller stones or sand to cover any exposed silicone this will give a more natural appearance. I often use the By Jenny Walker same sand or gravel I have in my tank so that it matches and looks Have you ever been walking through the as though it belongs in the tank. local fish store and thought to yourself “ $49.99 Step three: for that…its just a piece of drift wood”? Well I Let the silicone dry for 48 to 72 hours (it is important to let it set certainly have. Why can’t I have an awesome up completely or it can be harmful to your fish) and wash it again looking tank like one I see in the tropical fish in the dawn dish soap solution and rinse well before adding to magazines while still sticking to my budget? your tank. Well with a little thought, I discovered I can. You can also very easily make your own pleco caves and Lets start with plants. At most pet stores they sell hides. A lot of different fish appreciate caves and hides but when unweighted plants pretty cheap. As we all know if you do not bury you’re running multiple tanks it them in three inches of gravel, they are forever floating up. Not to really saves on your pockets if mention if you have any sort of fish that makes a ruckus or digs, you can get a good deal. forget it. The plants will NEVER stay where you want them. The pet Here is what you need: store sells weighted plants which are essentially the same cheap Slate rock (if you do not have plants just with a weight at the bottom and slate rock in your back yard you cost almost double. You can make yourself can get a assortment of colors some really cool tank accessories for a and shapes at home depot for $1 fraction of the cost. to $6 a piece) you want to use Here is what you will need: slate because of its thin and A tube of silicone caulking (it must be lighter weight. If you are only silicone I not silicone II, make sure the silicone making a small hide its fine to use does not contain mildew or mold resistant) regular rock but if your making a or tank sealant. The reason I buy silicone I larger one its best to use slate so and not tank sealant is because it is the same you are not adding so much thing only is between $3 and $5 a tube of weight to your tank. silicone I instead of $8-$20 a tube for marine Silicone sealant, A hammer land tank sealant (you will get several projects out of one tube). First make sure everything has An assortment of aquatic plants (this is a good way to recycle old been properly cleaned and dried plastic plants the have came apart or that you do not use) (following the same process I mentioned above for the weighted A source of weight ( I use rocks typically from my yard) if you do not plants). Lay out your rock and decide what kind of cave you want, have access to rocks in your yard you can buy a small bag of river you can use the hammer to make different shapes or sizes and to rocks from the dollar tree for $1 a bag. help create a more jagged edge which can appear more natural. Step one: Sanitize everything. I usually will boil the rocks and wash Lay a bead of silicone down and begin attaching the rocks to one the plants, however if you fill your sink with hot water and dawn another. dish soap and wash everything in there that will work. Just make After you have assembled your cave or hide to your liking you can sure to rinse everything thoroughly. Let everything dry on a towel, it use spare gravel or sand to cover must be completely dry for everything to stick. the access silicone. You can also Step two: visualize where you want go with this. Lay out your get creative and add plastic plants plants and come up with a idea of how you would like the finished or shells for decoration project to look. I like to use several plants on one weight to make a depending on you tanks theme. great habitat for fry to hide and to make it look more natural. Once Not only are you saving some you have an idea you may begin. Take the weight and put a nickel money you really get to sized amount of silicone and attach the plant, if you are using the personalize the project and use smaller river rock you may need to use the silicone and attach a your creativity. few rocks together to get the desired effect. I usually remove the

clear plastic gravel holder at the bottom. Once the plant is placed in Http://www.tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com You can find us on Facebook Tropical Fish Club of Erie County. Inc. Newsletter February 2015 Page 5 Julidochromis Regani by Chuck Mule’ Julidochromis because I have lost whole colonies in the past. An outside power filter and a Hot Magnum provide

adequate filtration. The colony was conditioned on flake food , The Convict Julie (Julidochromis regani) is occasional black worms and mosquito larvae. The breeding pair an attractive cichlid from , Africa. used the rocks to lay and fertilize their eggs and then proceeded It has a slender elongated body with three or four to guard over 50% of the bottom area of the tank. The fry when brown stripes over a yellow background. Females free swimming were very small and stayed mostly on, under and are always larger, mine are about 5 inches in length, with the male around a large center rock that was densely covered with algae. at about 4 inches. Other common names that this fish are known They were fed Tetra Cichlid jumbo sticks that were ground to a by include the Striped Julie, Giant Julie and Convict Julie. fine powder in mortar and pestle. They soon were eating crushed A breeding group was flake and decapsulated . The parents continued to purchased at a local club t guard them until they auction and placed in a 40 h were turned in for the BAP gallon tank with a fine gravel i The parents both bottom with plenty of rocks, s take care of the fry. They caves and a couple of large are very territorial, but Bolbitis heudelotti plants. i allow previous broods The plants provided a good n inside the territory. The refuge for the rest of the t older fry from previous colony while the dominant e spawns swim among their pair guarded the spawn and r younger siblings and seem then the fry. About 6 black tetras are housed in the same tank and e to help in protecting them. haven’t caused any problems. Water temperatures are kept at s It is important not to house the different julidochromis species in about 75° F. . I always use AmQuel to remove chloramines and t the same aquarium because they will hybridize. I enjoy watching chlorine when filling or doing water changes with any of the i n g Skiffia francesae sp.Sayula concoction of pure spirulina powder mixed withs Resplashy’s by Chuck Mule’ “Super Green”. The last food listed was already p being fed to 6 white spotted rabbit snails that share the same tank.e The females Skiffia francesae sp.Sayula now thought to soon became fully extended with fry but I never noticedc the exact be extinct in the wild had only been collected in date that they spawned because of all the javai moss. When I the Sayula - valley (cuyacapan spring) in Mexico. finally spotted the fry quickly darting in and out of ethe java moss The waters in which they were originally collected they appeared small but well developed. The pars ents and the has since dried up. The 1” males are a bright gold with black edges rest of the group didn’t pay much if any attention to the fry so I on the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The males first few rays of the assume that the 9 fry I finally caught for the Bap wera e probably anal fin are shortened and bunched together to form a copulatory the full spawn. The group of Skiffia was left with then fry and didn’t organ. The 1 1/2” females are grayish green with scattered small appear to be a danger to them. I lost one of the femalesd that was black flecks along the lateral scale row and the dorsal fin. full of fry same the week that I turned this spawn in. I don’t know I’ve had the regular Skiffia francesae livebearers before but why but it happens. Have one more female that’ls ready to give never spawned them. This group of 3 plus pairs of Skiffia birth and I intend to keep this batch. o francesae sp. Sayula’s where placed in a very heavily planted tank This is a very nice lively fish that makes an attro active and of Java moss with aged tap water. The water temperature was kept interesting addition to a well planted tank. It wouldk be a shame at 75° F. with a filter for filtration. They where fed flake, to see this fish go extinct, so I hope our fellow aquarist will keep decapsulated brine shrimp, white worms and a home made this fish around so future generations can enjoy them.f o Http://www.tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com You can find us on Facebook Tropical Fish Club of Erie County. Inc. Newsletter Februaryr 2015 Page 6 w a r d

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Pictures by Peter Reukauf From left to right, top to bottom L-002 Pleco, Pelvicachromis Taeniatus Moliwe, Yellow Leopard Discus, Cynotilapia Afra Jalo Reef with a mouthfull, Sunset Montezuma Sword

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Special thanks to Peter Schirrmacher for acting on behalf of the TFCEC to help children obtain their first fish tank and expand our hobby to the younger generation.

Photos submitted by Jenny Walker

From left to right and top to bottom: Royal pleco checking out his reflection, Wild angelfish, African leaf fish blending into his surroundings, Albino longfin ancistrus saying hello, and an angelfish checking out the leaf fish.

Http://www.tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com You can find us on Facebook Tropical Fish Club of Erie County. Inc. Newsletter February 2015 Page 8 Wanted: For Sale or Trade: “gold” Synodontis Multipunctatus approx. 2-3” $15 Tanganyikan Shellie each Enterochromis paropius approx 1.25" $8 Text Jack Mullen 491-6187 each Rare Lake Victora Cichlid. Trades considered Tom H. 408-6540 or [email protected]

Club T-Shirts

The shirts are grey with black silk screen Live Black worm Group Order Sizes available: I am organizing a group order of live black-worms Large $8 from Eastern Aquatics. If you would like to get in on xl $8 the order, I will be collecting orders/money until the 2xl $10 --sold out Wednesday before the next meeting. The worms will 3xl $11 --only one left arrive and be delivered at the next meeting. We can also monogram a small club logo on your Pricing: t-shirt, polo, hoodie, jacket, etc. Please wash it 1lb of worms = $24.00 first even if it is new. The current price is $7 for 0.5lb of worms = $13.00 each monogram on the clothing you provide. 0.25lb of worms = $7.00 Thank you for supporting the club. If you are interested or have questions, send me an See Tom Heisler. email, or leave a voicemail on my phone. 716-208-5596 Josh Vito

Bags for Sale 3x10x2mil $5.00/100 5x15x2 mil $ 6.50/100 6 x 16 x 2mil $6.75/100 6 x 24 x 2 mil $9.75/100 Your Wanted, For sale, For Trade ad here 8 x 15 x 2mil $8.50/100 See Tom Heisler or email [email protected] 10 x 20 x 2 mil $11.25/100

DECAPSULATED BRINE SHRIMP EGGS $16.00 PER POUND *Pricing subject to change. See Bill Duzen.

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TFCEC Board of Directors TFCEC monthly meeting minutes meeting minutes January 21, 2015 January 6th 2015 Secretary report by Jenny Walker (filling in for Secretary report by Kim Ball Kim) The TFCEC Board of Directors The meeting was called to order at 7:45 by meeting was roughly called to order at 7:18 pm president Thomas Heisler. Members present: Mike Culkowski, Ed Osika, New Members: Brenda R, Jenny W WJW, Larry Gibbs, Peter Reukauf, Donna Czanecki, Secretary report: See newsletter Kim Ball, Chris Hardy, John Williams, Josh Vito, Treasurer Report: Christmas party: $1128.00 Tom Rizzo, Tom Heisler, and Jack Mullen spent on food, $162.00 spent on soda, $50.00 on New Website introduction by Josh: Josh is going hall rental. to make board club members editors for website. BAP: 20 BAP turned in Tom Heisler introduced google collaboration and HAP 3 HAP turned in how it can benefit the club for BOD members that Ways and means: New products from The Fish are able to participate. Place, filters and pumps Bill made a motion to change website control to Newsletter publication: Looking for articles, club only (no decision reached) cartoons and original art work to be featured in Paypal was mentioned, possibly a way to accept the newsletter. WAP points will be awarded. credit cards for the auctions. New business: The Auction is being held Feb. Bowl show list for 2015 was completed. 15th at the chicken coop, people are needed to Auction discussion/committee: Need someone help. It starts at 9:30 members are encouraged to for entries, volunteers for setup. Another person bring food/ desserts. The Kitchen will not be is needed for publicity for auctions. We need a list available for use so food must be already of setup instructions from Randy. Looking for a prepared or in a crock pot. The summer picnic will better way to organize and produce paperwork. be held in the beginning of August. Peter Ideas for speakers: Several ideas were presented a certificate of appreciation for suggested, nothing to be announced until plans donation from NWTF. are formalized. Good of the Club: Tom H is selling shirts Bill D is selling bags and Josh is selling black worms Program: Bill W and Donna C gave a presentation Meetings The Tropical Fish Club of Erie County, Inc., meets the third Tuesday of the on BAP and HAP 101. They gave details on what month at The Chicken Coop, VFW Post 8113, 299 Leydecker Road, West the programs are about. They spoke about how Seneca NY. Meetings start at 7:00PM. All are invited. Our Purpose to be successful and gain self improvement. Tom The purpose of the Tropical Fish Club of Erie County is to bring hobbyists H. spoke about the WAP program 101. The club is of tropical fish and aquatic plants together, those who are interested in breeding, raising, showing, or just plain looking at fish and aquatic plants. looking for people to speak at the meetings and Also to aid members through lectures, films and slide presentations on recommendations are welcome. different aspects of the tropical fish hobby. Exchange Policy Raffle and Mini Auction: Bill W. and Randy ran The Tropical Fish Club of Erie County will send a copy of this newsletter to the mini auction any club who sends us a copy of their publication. Reprint Policy Meeting Adjourned at 9:30 Any article may be reprinted by another aquarium society, providing the source and author are given credit, and a copy of your publication is sent to us.

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Tropical Fish Club of Erie County 51 Penwood Dr Cheektowaga, NY 14227-3221