Hey! I'll have the following available for delivery to the Tailgate event. Let me know if you are interested in any of the fish...I may or may not bring extras. Cichlids for preorder: Ctenochromis horei - 1 inch $8 each or $40/6 Ctenochromis horei - 4 inch males (2 available) $30 each Metriaclima estherae 'Minos Reef' (wild-type Red Zebras) - 1 to 2 inch $6 each or $30/6 Paratilapia polleni – 5-inch young adults (4 available) $40 each SOLD Pelvicachromis kribensis ‘Bipindi” – 2 pairs $20/pair SOLD Honduran Red Point – 1 pair $10/pair SOLD Hemichromis letournexi – 1 inch $4 each or $20/6 Pond Plants that I may bring to the tailgate: Louisiana Iris – probably Black Gamecock, but there are some medium blue varieties mixed in. Unnamed water lilies – mostly pink varieties Lotus – varieties TBD once I pull them apart this week Blue Pickerel Rush – 4 to 6 inch bare root clumps Drosera adelae ‘Giant’ – 3 x 1.5 inch pots available Drosera adelae – several available – need to check Drosera spathulata – 9 x 1.5 inch pots available Stylidium debile – 2 x 2 inch pots available Hardgoods: Holey Rock 12 inch linkable LED lights

This year's American Cichlid Association meeting is in Cromwell, CT (the schedule is here). Since it's on the East Coast and a relatively reasonable drive from the DC area several of us are planning on going up for the weekend. I'll be heading up on Thursday and coming back on Monday. Their Sunday auction is supposed to be epic and will include fish (not just cichlids) that are new to the hobby. Also, they're trying something new with the fish show. Instead of a traditional fish show, the tanks must be set up as a biotope, and "must contain at least two cichlids of a species native to that biotope but can contain any number of other fish and native invertebrates which reflect as close to a realistic portrait of the area as possible.  Plants, wood, rocks and substrate must also reflect the chosen biotope accurately." Tanks and some supplies will be provided or available for sale onsite, or you can bring your own. Who else is planning on going? Are enough people interested that I should be researching a charter bus (for CCA, PVAS, JRAS, etc.)

Hey PVAS! For those that haven't seen the recent posts on Facebook, we're going to be offering CASH PRIZES for the aquarium beautiful competition. So far we have only NINE tanks registered! C'mon folks! So, let us know that you're planning on coming by registering HERE. the way it's going to work this year is that tanks will be judged by a panel of peers (one from CCA, PVAS, and GWAPA). They will choose the first place winners in each of the categories. Each tank can only be entered into one of the following categories: – Aquascaped tanks over 10 gallons – Aquascaped tanks 10 gallons and under – Tanks showcasing fish on the C.A.R.E.S. list – Tanks featuring a biotope of your choice – “Themed” tanks where you can let your creativity run wild Then from those first place winners, they'll pick the Best in Show. Meanwhile, all attendees will be able to vote on their personal favorite, and that tank will win the People's Choice award. Just remember that you need to be a registered BFD attendee to bring a tank. Tanks can only be entered into one category, but you can bring as many tanks as you want. If you are bringing a tank over 10 gallons, please also bring a stand for it.

Hey Everyone! I know that many of you have fish to sell, or need to clean out your gently-used aquarium equipment. We still have Sunday Marketplace tables available for the Big Fish Deal - happening next month! For those that haven't been to the Sunday Marketplace before, we turn the ballroom of the hotel into a flea market of aquarium-related items. Tables are only $30, and you keep everything you make at the table (the club does not take a cut of your profits). You can sign up for a table here: https://capitalcichlids.org/bigfishdeal/events/sunday-marketplace-registration/ Don't have enough to fill a table? You can always split one with someone else.

Judging this year is going to be done by members of our local clubs, PVAS, GWAPA, and CCA. I need someone that's planning on attending the BFD, but not entering a tank in the aquarium beautiful competition to represent PVAS. Please give me a holler if you can help!

Hey PVAS, I know that there are some talented and creative aquascapers in this group, so we'd love to see you get your entries submitted! It's free to enter a tank into the contest as long as you're a registered attendee for the event. You can enter as many tanks as you want! This year's categories are:   – Aquascaped tanks over 10 gallons   – Aquascaped tanks 10 gallons and under   – Tanks showcasing fish on the C.A.R.E.S. list   – Tanks featuring a biotope of your choice   – “Themed” tanks where you can let your creativity run wild Check out the details here: https://capitalcichlids.org/bigfishdeal/aquarium-beautiful/