One of the best ways to get to know fellow hobbyists and even people who sell fish, supplies, and other related items is to join a local aquarium club. In fact, consider joining a club that isn’t local.
Join an aquarium or cichlid club!
Ohio Cichlid Association
OCA Extravaganza 2026
The 2026 Ohio Cichlid Association (OCA) Extravaganza is right around the corner. If you’ve never been to this annual event, I encourage you to give it a shot.
Dr. Paul Loiselle video tribute
For those of you who, like me, still think about Dr. Loiselle and his tremendous impact on the cichlid hobby, you might be interested in the video tribute to him presented by the New Jersey Aquarium Society (NJAS) in March (2026). It is well done!
Consider joining an organized cichlid group, whether you have one near you or not
Want to be part of an organized cichlid group but you don’t have one near you? No problem. Most of these groups welcome anyone – local or not.
Ohio Cichlid Association Extravaganza 2025
Wrapping up the final full day of this year’s Extravaganza. Lots of great talks last night and today – Heinz Buescher, Charley Grimes, Lawrence Kent, Ingo Seidel, and Dan Sharifi.
2025 OCA Extravaganza reminder
We’re just about one month away from the 2025 edition of the Ohio Cichlid Association’s Extravaganza. I have posted about this event many times.
Engage with other hobbyists
One of the best ways to not only learn about cichlids but also stay abreast of the latest cichlid news is to engage with fellow hobbyists. There are multiple ways to do this.
Ohio Cichlid Association (OCA) Extravaganza 2025
It’s almost that time again! The annual OCA Extravaganza is just around the corner – Nov 21-23, 2025. If you’ve never been, you should consider attending. Held every year in Strongsville, OH (a Cleveland suburb), it is one of the premier cichlid events in North America.
Dr. Ronald Oldfield interview
If you follow the blog, you’ve probably read posts about cichlid enrichment, something I am big proponent of. Fish enrichment considerations are a natural extension of a larger focus, fish welfare. As a hobbyist who is sensitive to my fishes’ wellbeing, fish welfare studies involving aquarium fish are of great interest to me. Earlier this year, I was searching for some articles on fish welfare and I came across the work of today’s interviewee.
Another aquarium hobby icon gone too soon
I am deeply saddened today. The American Cichlid Association Facebook group announced yesterday evening (EST) that Dr. Paul Loiselle had passed away. Author and expert on so many subjects, including cichlids, Dr. Loiselle was deeply rooted in the hobby. I didn’t know him very well. In fact, I had just met him this past November at the Ohio Cichlid Association (ACA) annual Extravaganza.