I fondly remember my first visit to a tropical fish store more than 35 years ago. I was 11 years old, and my mother was ready to buy fish for our 30-gallon aquarium. She eagerly gathered me and my three younger brothers (no car seats or seat belts in those days) into her 1964 Buick. We drove into northeast Philadelphia for what was to be, for me, an adventure that would span to this day and beyond.

We entered what was then considered to be a very large fish store. Being the oldest, I was allowed to explore the labyrinth of fish tanks on my own, while my mother took my brothers around the livebearer section. She had a penchant for the colors and hues, and unique reproductive nature of these fish, whereas I was more interested in the rare and unusual creatures lurking about in the store. And to my delight, I found such a creature.

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