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.
Rick is no stranger to the cichlid community, and I suspect you have come across him yourself at some point. He’s one of the most prolific breeders that I know and has the distinction of being a Master Breeder, something not easily accomplished. He has spawned nearly 300 species of cichlids. Furthermore, Rick gives frequent talks at fish clubs and conventions. Though I have never seen any of his presentations, I understand that they’re top notch. He covers everything from tips for managing and breeding fish to fish room organization and DIY projects. In addition to serving on the board of the Greater Chicago Cichlid Association (GCCA), he is Speaker Chairman and Webmaster for the Fort Myers Aquarium Society.
Oh, and I should mention that I have interviewed his son, Sam, twice here on the blog.
Onward to the interview!
NOTE: All photos and images courtesy of Rick Borstein unless otherwise noted.
As a longtime fishkeeper, how did you get started with cichlids?
When I first moved to Chicago in the 80s, I participated in a general fish club, which eventually folded. Pretty much the only other club in town was the Greater Chicago Cichlid Association (GCCA). At GCCA, being a specialist club, there was suddenly available a huge variety of cichlids that I’d never heard about… I wanted to try them all!
I remember in my first meeting that someone brought in Rock Kribensis– Paralabidochromis sauvagei– which was the first Victoria cichlid I had ever seen. That led me to research Victorian cichlids, and I found out about how quickly these fish evolved, which I found interesting.
You have spawned nearly 300 species. Which species was the toughest and why?
Most cichlids will spawn IF you know how to keep them, but I’ve certainly had some humbling experiences. One notable challenge was Tropheus duboisi. I kept a large group in a 125g tank which were thriving but didn’t spawn for me. I traded them to a friend. I checked in with him six weeks later and, of course, he had fry!
Diet was my downfall. I was feeding spirulina flakes primarily. My friend quickly advised that females need protein for egg development. I got the group back, added frozen brine shrimp to their diet, and I had several successful spawns.
Another challenging cichlid that stands out is Caquetia myersi. Caquetaia myersi isn’t the easiest fish to breed for several reasons. The fish need to be at least 6-7 inches long before they are sexually mature, which takes about eighteen months. Males outpace their female tankmates in growth, they won’t hesitate to eat a smaller female, and they go out of their way to bully sub-dominant males. I found this fish to be a seasonal breeder too, so you have to bide your time. Suddenly you are two years into a fish trying to make it go. That demands patience.
With so much spawning success, what would you consider four “musts” for new hobbyists to have spawning success?
- Do your research. Find the right water conditions, temperature, diet and tank layout for the fish.
- Talk to other hobbyists who have had success.
- Change the water… regular partial changes are vital to the health of your fish. 50% weekly is my protocol.
- Never be afraid to mess with your fish. If something is not working, change it up. Temperature, diet, lighting, etc.
I have interviewed your son, Sam, twice. I am sure he learned a tremendous amount about cichlids (and fish keeping in general) from you. Since receiving his Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology, has he taught you anything about cichlids that has benefitted your fishkeeping and, if so, what?
Sam is a savant with cichlids, absolutely. I’m really proud of what he’s accomplished. Evolution is a fascinating subject. The specializations that cichlids have are super interesting, but Sam has deeper insights that he shares with me.
After more than 30 years in the hobby, what are a few things you would do differently if you knew 30 years ago what you know now?
I have recently set up my third fishroom, since I moved down to Florida. I spend a lot of time thinking about processes and infrastructure. Your time is extremely valuable. I think about what the fastest and easiest way is to accomplish tasks in my fishroom. What’s the easiest way to do a water change? Vacuum gravel? Spawn and raise the fry?
Thirty years ago, I had a fishroom that more or less grew organically. These days, I carefully plan around time savings, scale, and repeatability.
It’s important to spend the time up front to build a fish room that is easy to manage.
One of your most well received talks is “Sixty tips in 60 minutes.” Share with the readers a few of them to ensure fish keeping success.
Yes, I have that talk and a newer one called “Sixty More Tips in 60 Minutes.” Those are probably my most requested talks.
Whenever I give these talks to a club, I hear more ideas that I can incorporate in the future.
One topic I cover is how to raise microworms, which are a terrific fry food. I’m always surprised by how few hobbyists have tried to culture them because it is simple and very inexpensive.
I found that you can keep the cultures going for many weeks by adding Tetra Koi Vibrance sticks which also turn the worms orange and increases their food value.
I should get a commission on the Supvan Bluetooth label printer which is under $20 on Amazon. It’s really easy to use. It charges via a USB cable. You can print bag labels, tank labels, and lots more from your phone. You can save label templates that you can call up when you need them.
Another item that is useful in the fish room is a Rubbermaid bus tub. I see a lot of folks use a 5-gallon bucket when they are working on a tank. Inevitably, the one thing you need when you are putting the tank back together is at the bottom of the bucket.
With a bus tub, it’s all in a single layer where you can see everything. Bus tubs are easy to store, too, since they are only about 4 inches high, so you can kick them under your tank stand when you’re done.
If money and space were no object, describe your ultimate fish tank (including hardware, livestock, substrate, etc.).
I’d love to have a really huge 3,000g tank, so I can keep some monster cichlids. Or maybe I’d just fill it with wild swordtails! That would be a trip.
What are you most proud of with respect to your fishkeeping and why?
Early on in my hobby experience, an old timer told me that “Fish don’t read books,” and I’ll expand that to say, “Fish don’t Google.” The bulk of fishkeeping knowledge is in the brains of members of our hobby community. Not in a book. Not on the web.
I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others, and I think that is its own reward. In my talks, I try to present in a way that is easily assimilable by others and to make it fun.
I’m proud that I have been able to help local and national organizations grow the hobby. In 2024, GCCA made me the first “Fellow” of the organization, and that was a great honor.
Thanks so much for taking the time. Anything we didn’t cover above you would like to add?
Since moving to Florida, I’ve been working with the board of the Fort Myers Aquarium Society, which is a general fish club. We need to keep the hobby fun and approachable for beginners.
As for the cichlid hobby, one of the best ways to spur interest is to make sure there is a variety of fish available in each market. Species often are regionalized. I’m always surprised when I speak in other parts of the country that have fish available that I have never seen locally.
I encourage clubs to conduct “box swaps.” It’s a great way to get fish in the hobby.