Dear All,
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our new writers to Australian Aquarium Magazine. In this issue we’ve a fantastic contribution from Willem Heijns, accompanied by the stunning photography of Ad Konings. Willem describes his diving experiences with the cichlids of the crater lakes of Nicaragua. Also in this issue, Dr. Marco Lichtenberger discusses the husbandry of moray eels and his passion for these unusual saltwater fish is on full display! Marco’s article is accompanied by the brilliant underwater photography of Richard Ling. I’d like to personally thank Richard here for permission to reprint his beautiful images in AAM. Finally, George Fallon and Kevin Tan take us on their tour of a planted aquarium gallery in Japan. The result is a visual feast I’m confident you’ll enjoy.
Our regular contributers have also produced some magnificent work and I’m sure readers will enjoy the articles on the desert goby, glowlight tetras, New Zealand’s Giant Kokopu and those most iconic of salterwater fish: clownfish.
Many of our readers will have no doubt noticed how fish seem to remember the place and time at which they are normally fed. I know my cichlids gather each morning in the same place in the aquarium, peering out waiting for “the feeder” (me) to approach. As I pick up the green tin full of food the water boils with cichlid bodies eager to grab the food. Just how long does this behaviour last though? Some research out of the UK suggests quite a long time. In Devon, researchers at the National Marine Aquarium played a gong every time they feed Bentley the humphead wrasse. After a short time Bently appeared at the right spot, awaiting his dinner just after the gong sounded. Bentley even remembered the gong after its absence for four months and sped to his spot where he received his meal. Fish, do - it seems - have great memories. Similarly, I hope this issue leaves you with something good! Whether it be a new design for an aquarium or a desire to dive Nicaragua’s crater lakes, we aim to inspire!
One of our goals is to bring the entire fish keeping community together. This hobby has so many different facets including beginners and experienced hobbyists, the online community along with retailers, the manufacturers and wholesalers. Add to these the fish distributors, service companies, the vets, the scientists, the fish societies... well, you get the idea - the hobby is a large and complex enterprise and producing a magazine that appeals to everyone is a monstrous challenge that we really enjoy.
To aid us in this endeavour we’ve created a survey to better understand your needs and in return for you completing the survey we’ve added some extra incentives! To fill in the survey visit: AAM Online Surveys
We also have 2 new competition and more giveaways than ever before!
To continue making this the best magazine for the Australian fish keeper and we are constantly working very hard. For us to succeed your help is needed in more ways than just this survey. We also need you to go out and continue to spread the good word of AAM.
Alex Cooney and Dr. David Midgley
