First we’d like to remind everyone that the Midwest Fragfest will be taking place on April 25 and 26. It will be held in Rockford, Illinois, at the Clocktower Resort, and will include a frag swap, raffles and speakers. As of this writing, speakers include Kevin Kohen (from Live Aquaria), Stephen Pro, Matt Pederson speaking on “Captive-Bred Fish and You,” Mark Eisenhandler speaking on “Rock Walls Are For Your Yard...Aquascaping Tips and Tricks” and Gary Parr speaking on reef aquarium photography (more information is scheduled to be coming soon on the website, so make sure to check for updates).
We have an interesting topic this issue that may be somewhat of a mystery to some people: fish vets. A lot of people have heard of fish vets, but probably not many have actually taken their fish to one. They are certainly not as common as dog and cat veterinarians, but they do exist. What do they do? How do you find a fish vet in your area if you’re interested in locating one? Find out by going to “A Fishkeeper’s New Ally: Fish Vets,” written by fish veterinarian Dr. Brian Palmeiro.
Filtration is another big topic this issue — make sure to read about the different types of filters available in “Find the Right Filter” by Stephen Noble, and go to our special Product Showcase on filters, skimmers and related products. Many people have more than one tank, and it helps to understand what filters fit each application.
Lastly, there’s a lot of bad news going around these days, so for a change, we would like to mention some good news: a donation to an aquarium. A shoe company called Crocs, Inc. recently donated some shoes to the husbandry staff at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The shoes were originally made for boating and outdoor use, but they are slip-resistant and provide added safety to the aquarium workers. The donation came about because one employee asked for a donation, resulting in Crocs donating the shoes and even paying for shipping.