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When it comes to the blog interviews, I would be doing you, the reader, a disservice if I only targeted cichlidophiles in the United States. Fortunately, I’ve been able to interview fish keepers from all over the globe. In fact, today’s interviewee hails from Denmark. If you keep Lake Victoria cichlids, then you have probably heard of him – Kim Pedersen.
NOTE: All photos by Kim Pedersen unless otherwise noted.
Getting the opportunity to capture a piece of a hobbyist’s cichlid journey is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. And today’s interviewee, Mike Helford, has had quite the journey.
As comprehensive as I try to be with the overall content here on the blog, I try to be equally comprehensive with the interviews. As such, I do make a concerted effort to cover all types of cichlids from shellies to Discus to Angels. Today’s interviewee, Evan Rifkind, is a hobbyist who focuses on cichlids endemic to Madagascar.
I have posted many times about the benefits of attending various fish shows and conferences. In fact, I have pointed out that one of their greatest benefits, at least for me, is the opportunity to meet fellow fish keepers.
I have mentioned numerous times here on the blog that I am a member of several cichlid Facebook (FB) groups. Even with all its warts, FB is a great way to get the latest news on new species, new cichlid initiatives, etc. It is also a great platform for networking with other cichlid keepers. It’s one reason that so many cichlid clubs use it.
To numerous fish hobbyists, the Web is a great tool. We have probably all performed online searches looking for information about different species, hardware, fish food, and everything else. As I recall, I first learned about today’s interviewee as my fish keeping journey was just getting started. In fact, I believe I learned about Rick Borstein while searching for fish profiles. Fast forward to the present and I reached out to him about doing an interview.
Today’s interviewee comes by way of a dinner gathering back in November, 2025. I didn’t know Mike McKinney until a group of hobbyists attending the 2025 OCA Extravaganza met for dinner at a restaurant in Strongsville, OH just outside Cleveland. Though the meal itself was a highlight, getting to meet Mike that evening was the real reward.