September Meeting
Our next meeting is on Friday, September 11, 2026, 8 pm at Ritchie Memorial Shelter House. Karl Trochu will be giving his talk vis zoom— Breeding Fancy Livebearers in an Outdoor and Natural Fishroom.
Bowl Show Classes: Photography—Prints Only; Gouramis and Anabantoids; Sharks and Loaches
About the program
My outdoor “fishroom” in Miami, FL has been solely dedicated to the long-term selective breeding and maintenance of hi-fin cultivated strains of fancy Xiphophorus — as well as few domesticated wild species of livebearers. Since its inception in 2008, this outdoor fishroom was set up in a simple yet effective fashion — with a minimal ecological impact in mind. There is neither artificial light nor water heaters or high-end filtration. The fishroom’s water supply comes from a well and filtration is powered by an Alita air pump — which provides both mechanical and biological filtration (via sponge filters and filter boxes). Over the years, it has occasionally been challenging, but overall remained highly sustainable and productive. Sometimes less is more.
About the Karl Trochu
Born and raised in Brittany, France. I lived in Minnesota for a decade and travelled extensively around the world for business purposes. On and off, I’ve always managed to maintain a few tanks with fancy livebearers. In 2004, we moved our family to Coconut Groves, FL, and I was then able to build my dreamed outdoor fishroom on the side of our tropical garden, Hawaiian style. That same fishroom has been slightly improved over the years and strains of “fancies” are still selectively being bred as of today.
Stark County Aqua Life Enthusiasts’ 5th Annual Swap Meet
The S.C.A.L.E.S. Fish Club (Stark County Aqua Life Enthusiasts) 5th Annual Swap Meet is scheduled for Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Canton Country Day School located at 3000 Demington Avenue NW, Canton, Ohio. Admission is free and open to the public.
Click on the image below to view the pdf.
July Meeting
We thank Randy Seufert for hosting the price is right game on July 10.
Growth Program First Successful Spawn Reported June 16
As a side competition to the growth program, if any of the fish from this program successfully spawn by the November judging, the first breeder also gets a cash prize! (As a reminder, the distribution of the original juveniles was on March 13, 2026.)
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 4:18 pm, Sally Saunders sent in this picture (and video files not posted here) of her Pseudocrenilabrus sp. ‘Ruaha‘ free-swimming fry. Nicely done, Sally, and congratulations on the successful spawn!
Ultra-Aqua 2026 Show Results
Click on the image below to download the full list of show results. There were 408 show entries from 27 entrants, representing 6 clubs.
Our Ultra-Aqua 2026 Sponsors
Please see the full listing of the show sponsors here. We are grateful for these sponsors who make the show awards possible.
Spring Auction Pictures
The 2026 GAAS Spring Auction, held on March 1, was a great success, thanks to the many participants who bought, sold, and volunteered throughout the day. There were more than 1,000 items auctioned by Randy and George. See more springtime regional auctions listed here.
See you on Sunday, November 1, 2026, for the Fall Auction.