Aquariumania - Tropical Fish as Pets

Improvements in the science of fish-keeping have been only part of the hobby’s success. Advances in aquatic pet products, including aquarium systems, nutrition, water quality, and salts have been critical to driving both fresh and salt water fish interests. My guest today, Tim Plafcan, is Senior Product Manager at Spectrum Brands, which includes Marineland, Tetra, Instant Ocean, and Jungle product...

Just Keep Swimming is not only the name of Andres’ Ryan’s fish farm, it is also his creed. Andres is an aquarium fish farmer in Florida who has bred and raised literally hundreds of species, but now concentrates on the more delicate and difficult-to-spawn aquarium fish, including clown loaches, cardinal tetras, Galaxy rasboras, fancy plecos, and freshwater ornamental shrimp. Join us, as Andres and...

Coral reefs are among the most beautiful and biologically diverse communities in the world. Yet corals are in decline globally. Although some disease syndromes have been identified and described by researchers over the past few decades, many factors contributing to coral health and disease- both in the field and in aquaria- are still poorly understood. Dr. Michael Sweet, the lead researcher in the...

When the first transgenic red zebra danio first lit up the U.S. aquarium hobby in 2004 amidst great controversy, naysayers thought this would be just a passing fancy. Ten years later, Yorktown Technologies’ highly successful "GloFish" line has expanded to ten lines, six colors, and three species. My guest today, Alan Blake, CEO of Yorktown Technologies, is the man who started it all. Join us, as A...

What do upside down catfish, electric blue Jack Dempseys, and eartheaters all have in common? They are all bred and raised by my guest today, aquarium fish producer John Skidmore of Golden Pond Tropicals. For 15 years, John raised shrimp in the Caribbean and Hawaii, before moving to Florida to start aquarium fish farming. Join us, as we learn more about the fascinating species bred and raised at G...

Which fishes commonly court potential mates on land, can climb up mangrove trees, and dig deep burrows to lay eggs? The incredible mudskipper! Although mudskippers have made it big in some children’s cartoons, very few people really understand how unique and varied this group of fishes is. My guest today, Dr. Gianluca Polgar, is the world’s expert on mudskippers and an aquarium hobbyist at heart....

Among the most iconic of all marine species in the aquarium hobby are the seahorses. From tiny dwarf species to large majestically camouflaged seadragons, children and adults alike have been fascinated by their appearance and behaviors. My guest today, Beth Privett, owner of Seahorse Corral in Florida, is a highly-regarded seahorse breeder, who was inspired to breed them to reduce wild collection...

Most common freshwater aquarium fish are aquacultured- born and raised on fish farms in Florida, other parts of the U.S., and abroad. Most marine aquarium species, by contrast, are collected from the wild, with only a small percentage farm-raised. Petco and Defenders of Wildlife have joined forces to reduce impacts on coral reef habitats and species by promoting aquacultured fish over wild caught...

Florida’s aquarium fish producers comprise much of the heart and soul of U.S. production. They are a colorful, hard-working, and dedicated group, and many come from families who have been farming for generations. My guest today is Mike Drawdy, owner of Imperial Tropicals in Lakeland, FL. Mike, a third generation fish farmer, raises a variety of colorful species, including fancy swordtails, guppies...

Many consider our planet’s oceans too vast to be in trouble. But numerous scientific studies are proving that water quality and the lives of many marine - and terrestrial species, including ourselves, are at risk from mankind’s waste and climatic influences. My guest today, Fabien Cousteau, grandson of aquatic pioneer Jacques Cousteau, is himself an ocean explorer, film-maker, renaissance man, and...

The beauty of the aquarium hobby is that there is a niche for everyone, including those who love tiny tanks. My guest, today, Rachel O’Leary, owner of Misjinkzd, is well-known for her collection of tiny freshwater fish and invertebrates, ideal occupants for now trendy 'nano tanks,' aquaria that, like bonsai trees, can brighten up small spaces. Join us, as we learn more about life on the nano-side...

Breeding marine aquarium fish for the hobby was just a dream several decades ago, until a relatively unknown fisheries biologist named Martin Moe started his company, Aqualife Research, with wife Barbara, in the early 70s, breeding clownfish. Martin Moe was ahead of his time, and is now considered by many the father of marine aquarium fish aquaculture, with many fascinating stories to share about...

Many beautiful aquarium fish come from the Amazon but one of the most iconic is the majestic discus. Known as the 'king of aquarium fish,' discus have a reputation for being difficult to keep. But are they? Our guest today, Gabriel Posada, has been breeding and raising discus for many years at Jack Wattley Discus. Join us as Gabe shares his knowledge and stories of discus and aquarium pioneer Jack...

A beautifully aquascaped planted aquarium or outdoor pond easily rivals even the most complex of reef aquariums. In fact, a school of fish swimming through an underwater forest in a small home tank, or spectacular water lilies in a koi pond can brighten up an space. But where do many of these plants, come from? My guest today is Brandon McLane, Vice President of Florida Aquatic Nurseries, one of t...

Freshwater angelfish, whose scientific name, Pterophyllum means winged leaf, are a uniquely shaped member of the cichlid family from the Amazon and have been a favorite of hobbyists for decades, ever since they were first bred in the 1920’s and 30’s. My guest today is Matt Pedersen, Senior Editor of AMAZONAS and CORAL Magazine, and Associate Publisher with their parent company, Reef To Rainforest...

The aquarium industry is truly international. Although many fish come from farms and collection points in Florida and other parts of the US, numerous species also arrive from points around the globe. Australia has its own thriving aquarium industry and hobby, and is home to some of the most beautiful and prized freshwater and marine aquarium fish in the world, including the popular rainbowfishes a...

The Banggai cardinalfish is a small, beautiful marine aquarium fish that was discovered twice, rose quickly in popularity, but now has an uncertain future. What do we know about this fish and what can be done to save it? My guest today, Ret Talbot, is an award-winning writer and photojournalist with nearly 20 years of experience covering stories from exotic locales including Fiji and Papua New Gui...

Most hobbyists are familiar with the common pleco, the catfish that feeds on algae and detritus and is a staple of any community tank. But most do not know that there are currently well over 600 different species of catfishes in the pleco family, the Loricariidae, many with incredible color and patterns, like the zebra pleco and the gold dust pleco, and many of which have not yet been properly ide...

The U.S. aquarium fish industry is centered in Florida, and has a rich tradition of fish farming families. My guest today, Jason Diaz, has been working in his family’s business since age 12. Jason is President of 5-D Tropical, Inc., an aquarium fish production and import facility, based in Plant City. 5-D produces 100s of thousands of aquarium fish weekly, comprised of over 60 species and varietie...

Ken Jones, my guest today, is a well-known and highly respected water feature and water garden designer, who has been in the aquatic landscape business for over 30 years. Ken has been involved in many aspects of the aquarium hobby throughout his career and his projects have won Designer Showcase awards from the national trade magazine, Watergarden News. Ken also writes for many of the hobby and tr...

Aquarium keeping is more than just a great hobby. It also teaches valuable lessons about science, nature, and even careers in aquatics! A perfect example of this can be seen at Riverview High School, in Sarasota, FL, where innovators Katrin Rudge and her colleagues use aquarium systems to teach aquaculture, natural resources, engineering, and business. Riverview High School’s Aquascience Program c...

Many hobbyists know that clownfish and a few other marine species are now bred by fish farms for the industry. However, most other marine aquarium fish are even more difficult to breed and are available only as wild caught specimens. How can we ever crack their breeding and culture codes? Rising Tide Conservation, an initiative spearheaded by the Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, is a...

Cancer and old age are difficult to handle when they happen to our pets. Although most people are familiar with these issues in dogs and cats, not many aquarium hobbyists have the same level of understanding for their fish. Our guest today is Dr. Todd Cecil, owner and operator of Western Aquatic Animal Veterinary Service, and primary exotic animal veterinarian at Pet Emergency and Specialty Center...

Do you want to have the fish tank of your dreams? Ask Wayde King and Brett Raymer, brothers-in-law, best friends, and the highly successful brains behind their company, Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM). Housed in a 13,000 sq ft. facility located in the center of Las Vegas, ATM has created thousands of conceptual aquariums for high-profile clients. Animal Planet’s newest hit show "TANKED," follows...

There are many common "myths" and misconceptions out there in the aquarium hobby that continue to live on. More experienced fish-keepers know fact from fiction, but those new to aquarium keeping often must learn the truth the hard way! Dr. Denise Petty is an aquaculture extension veterinarian at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. An avid fish-keeper...