No rest for the weary! The new year is starting off just as hectic as it ended.  The last few months we have been replacing some old tank racks and setting up some show tanks, and trying to work in a W/C shipment or two.  Late Winter seems to be the time all of our fish really start kicking out the fry, and this year is no exception.  Lots of tropheus, frontosa, and peacocks on the way. 

 

Several W/C shipments are in the works for the next few weeks with some really nice fish expected. We have found a couple of good sources for Lake Malawi fish and will be bringing in a nice variety of those in the near future.  Some of the transport problems with moving fish  from Lakeside to Dar seem to be resolving, so hopefully, things will go more smoothly this year.  As usual, we will try to keep our prices as low as possible.  Because we purchase directly from the Lake, or fund  entire collections, we can keep our prices competitive; however, transport costs continue to rise and have to be covered in the fish pricing, so discounts will be available only on larger purchases.

 

It's Mardi Gras season on the Gulf Coast, so we're off to the parades!   

 

 

We were gluttons for punishment over the last month - Three W/C shipments arrived within a 10 day time frame.  Lots of fish to babysit, lots of phone calls, and lots of emails.  Fortunately, all of the shipments came in well and most of the fish were in good health.  Some of those that are still in our tanks are beginning to breed.  Seeing a w/c fish settle in and be comfortable enough to begin spawning makes most (but not ALL) of the importing hassle worth it. 

 

As if August wasn't stressful enough, it looks like we will be doing it all over again.  We try to space out import shipments, but this year all of them have arrived in groups.  When the opportunity became available to do Mahale one more time, it came right on top of a big Zambia collection, and then it was decided to end Mahale with a quick Kavalla Congo collection.  All of those fish are now making their way to holding stations and should begin shipping next week.  Overland transport from Lakeside to Dar continues to be a major challenge, so we plan multiple, smaller shipments as groups of fish can be moved.  No more trying to move all of them at once!  We have lots of email reservations, and I will be updating everyone as I get details on what fish will move and when.  I have been given wide latitude in selecting which ones come first, and most likely, the Mahale fish that are in the best condition will be among the first to arrive.  Please continue to indicate your interest in reserving fish via email.  I really enjoy talking to everyone on the phone, but taking care of the fish, especially new arrivals, takes up alot of time and I also have family obligations, so often can't spend the time talking that I would like to. 

 

We are re-doing our reptile room and plan to set up some show tanks on one side of it, so visitors can more easily see what mature fish look like, and I can take better pictures.  If you have never shopped Craig's List for used aquariums, try it if you're in the market for new stuff for your fishroom.   It's a great resource!

 

 

Two Africa shipments expected in the next 10 days. 

 

Mahale is trickling in, after most of that collection was lost to chlorine poisoning during a water change at the export facility.  We will try for another collection in the next few months.

 

All of the requested Maswa/Cape Kabogo fish were caught and should arrive next week.

 

A quick Kipili collection was done and we are waiting for those fish to make the long transfer trip to Dar.  Moving fish from lakeside to Dar continues to be a risky and difficult effort. 

 

The Congo trip has been underway for 2 months with very little communication from the lake.  If the collection is successful and the fish don't get stolen, we may end up with some rarely seen species.

 

Karilani is in the works again. 

 

 

The first Dainichi food has arrived and is gone.  A second order should be here next week.  I will put up a page listing what is available, pricing, and shipping info in a few days.

Maswa collection is well under way and should wrap up by the end of next week.  Fish should arrive to us within 2 weeks of the collection ending.  There may be some Kipili/Ikola fish tagging along with that shipment.  Congo collection from Kalemie northward will start as soon as the divers finish Maswa.

 

Mahale????  One day, before the end of time, it will get here.

 

Direct from Zambia shipments look promising...We may do a test shipment in mid-August and if that is successful, we will look at planning regular shipments. 

 

Everywhere we go down here we see oil-related cleanup equipment and crews.  Our annual July 4th fishing rodeo has been limited to fresh water, inland bays, and pier fishing only.  How sad, as it is always an educational experience to see the beautiful game fish brought in from the Gulf of Mexico.  The beaches that were so well restored after Katrina are just about empty, except for strangely dressed cleanup workers.  Very depressing for a resort area!

 

 

 

A very sad day for my family and neighbors.  Our friend, Tim Bradley, lost his battle with Leukemia.  Tim leaves a wife and 2 young children. We are grateful for the short time we were able to know Tim and will remember him always as a kind and generous person.  He dug our Koi pond and just a few days ago ask us to hold off making final adjustments until he could get out of the hospital and help.  It will be hard to complete it without you, Tim, but we will think of you everytime we look into the water.

 

 

I sound like a broken record with emails and phone calls...another week, another problem, another delay.  Nothing to do with Africa works in a timely manner, at least not in the way I was taught how to do business.

 

After what seems like endless delays, it appears the first group of Mahale fish will finally arrive around July 7th.  This will be a very large shipment of Petros, Tropheus, and Cyp. Micros. 

 

The Maswa collection is about to get underway.  This one was held up because of logistical issues with moving previously collected fish from Kigoma to Dar, which had to be done to free up holding space for the Maswa area fish.   This will be a quick collection as it is a short trip from Kigoma.  Fish should arrive within a month.

 

Finally, the Congo collection starts as soon as Maswa is done.  This is a more involved and difficult collection, with considerable risks, as the areas targeted for collection are rarely done anymore.  If a successful collection occurs, these fish should arrive late summer.

 

We are working on a direct import from Zambia - should be better transport for the fish, as the flight doesn't go through Europe.  Details as they are known.

 

 

We will exhibit at the Repticon Show, Gonzales, La. July 3rd & 4th.  Tenative plans to attend Repticon in Houston, TX the end of July and early December.

 

The first of our 2010 Ball Python babies have hatched.  The Beardies have alot of action going on as we set up some nice young pairs last winter.  We expect alot of high orange (my favorite) babies and some nice reds. 

 

 

I have been feeding Dainichi fish food exclusively for several months. There is no doubt in my mind that this brand is the best quality commercially made food available.  All of the fish had noticeable changes in coloration and many had increased breeding activity.  I decided to become a Dainichi dealer and will begin offering their products by July 1st.

 

Baby Geiger came to live with us on May 21st.  We have owned Rottweilers since 1977 and are conditioned to their slow, deliberate demeanor, but we thought a GSD would be an interesting addition.  Having read that among the various dog breeds, the German Shepherd is not rated number one in anything, but number two in everything, and having some experience in the sport of Schutzhund, my expectation was high for the breed.  We waited longer for this guy than the import shipments noted above, and weren't dissappointed.  I equate him to the energy level of a tropheus - forever on the go.  He won't be a baby much longer and Howard plans to channel some of that energy into police work.   Here's a pic taken the day we brought him home: