I've been in the hobby of keeping South American and African cichlids and catfish for two decades. What started out as way for my parents to stifle my requests for a dog as a child, ended up being a life long hobby. Over the years I've kept fish from Central America, South America, Africa and even India; most of these have been cichlids and various catfish. For the past four years I've been breeding pseudotropheus saulosi from lake Malawi, along with various species of catfish found in African lakes and rivers.
As of late, I've entered into the world of freshwater invertebrates and the densely planted aquascapes inspired by the renowned Japanese aquarist Takashi Amano. I decided to begin my journey into the world of freshwater invertebrates with Neocaridina heteropoda from the rivers of Taiwan. Slowly, I've been progressing to more colourful, more delicate (and more expensive) invertebrates. Also, aquascaping with Amano's techniques, which are based on traditional Japanese gardening concepts, have been quite challenging yet rewarding.
Every couple of years I try to change my area of focus within the hobby to keep things interesting and challenging. I find this to be key in keeping one's hobby alive and engaging. Learning new things that excite us and give us joy are what make a hobby truely refreshing and satisfying.
(All photos were taken by me, the author of this blog, are my property, and are subject to copywrite laws)
