AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish. Please do not ask me questions about why your goldfish are sick -- they are almost always sick due to the way that they are sold). Also, please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen
eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. Thanks.
Experience I teach at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Organizations belong to American Cichlid Association, Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, etc
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Expert: Ron Coleman Date: 5/6/2008 Subject: Breeding Goodieds
Question Although my question is non-cichlid-related, I am still hopeful you can help me. I am desperately seeking more information on the proper care, breeding and rearing of Goodied livebearers, a rare and critically endangered fish found only in Mexico. I was fortunate enough to come across a dealer that is willing to sell me some breeding stock, but he is extremely busy and I desperately need new and reliable sources for more information about these wonderful fish.
From what little I have discovered, there is an active conservation effort to protect several members of the Goodeidae family, and the ones I am particularly interested in breeding are the Ameca splendens (Butterfly goodied) and/or the Zoogoneticus tequila (Crescent goodied). I also have access to breeding stock of Chapalichthys pardalis (Polka-dot splitfin) and Ilyodon furcidens (Goldbreast/Brass goodied), however my supply of adequate tank space is limited.
Anyhow, I would like some advice on where to find reliable resources in order to do further research on all the above mentioned species, the more detailed the better. I have perused several websites that cover basic profiles, but there is so little accessible knowledge to be found online and many misconceptions seem to abound. I am willing to purchase books, if I only knew what to look for. A list of suggested reading would be MOST heartily welcomed.
Also, if you have time, perhaps you could give me a few pointers on how to keep good, organized records so that if I am indeed successful in my breeding, I might be able to share with others who are likewise inclined. I sincerely hope you can help point me in the right direction. I am very eager to join the conservation effort, so that my passion becomes more than just a hobby.. it can become my little contribution to saving a piece of our planet. Thank you so much for your time!
Answer Hi Monica,
Unfortunately I do not know anything about Goodeids. There is a guy up in Portland, Eric Rasmussen, who does, He works with many of these species. Unfortunately, I do not have any contact info for him. I will try to get it.
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
