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San Antonio Wins Bid for National Tropical Fish Convention
Royal Oaks, MI (August 2, 2007) – The American Livebearer Association (ALA), one of the nation’s largest tropical fish societies, announced today that they have selected San Antonio, Texas as the site for their Annual Convention slated for May 1-4, 2008. The winner of the bid was a consortium of hobbyists led by Charles Clappsaddle of Goliad Fish Farms (Goliad, TX). The Houston Livebearers Association (HLA), under the leadership of Max Smith, will be the Official Host.
“We are excited for the opportunity to show off Texas hospitality,†remarked Clappsaddle. “San Antonio is Texas ’number one tourist destination, and it also offers the opportunity to see livebearers in their natural habitats.â€
The ALA is a non-profit volunteer organization of hobbyists, scientists, and professional aquarists who breed, study, and collect livebearing fishes. These are fish that give birth to living young, rather than lay eggs like most fish. The ALA publishes a journal and trading post, and sponsors an endowment fund that provides academic scholarships and conservation grants.
“Most people are familiar with the popular guppy and swordtail of home aquariumsâ€, explains ALA Public Relations Chairman, Dr. Ted Coletti. “ALA members are also interested in thousands of other livebearer species and varieties, many of which are threatened with extinction or only survive today in captivity due to pollution, over-development, and the introduction of non-native species.â€
The ALA Convention, slated for the Hilton-San Antonio Airport, will consist of 4 days of expert guest speakers with slides; a multi-class competitive fish show with beautiful and exotic livebearers; an all-day auction of fish and dry goods; and a vendor and manufacturer exposition. But Clappsaddle feels it was the extracurricular activities that put Texas over the top in the bidding.
“It was probably because we offered two fantastic collecting trips (Coleto Creek and San Marcos River) which features wild mollies, cichlids, killies, rare gambusia, and aquatic plants, Clappsaddle explained. “And tours of our fish hatchery, as well as the Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center at Texas State University.â€
Texas hobbyists will also benefit from the Convention. Â
“ALA members from around the world will be bringing fish and plants to San Antonio that most Texas fish keepers have only seen in books or on the internet†explained ALA Chairman Rit Forcier. “There will also be opportunities to share experiences with a multinational group of aquarists.“
The ALA Convention is open to all hobbyists and their families, regardless of membership. Attendees can visit for a few hours or stay the whole weekend. For more information, visit the ALA website at www.livebearer.org, or the Houston Livebearers Association at hla.fotaswebsite.com. Registration materials will be posted by year-end.
- T. Coletti
Royal Oaks, MI (August 2, 2007) – The American Livebearer Association (ALA), one of the nation’s largest tropical fish societies, announced today that they have selected San Antonio, Texas as the site for their Annual Convention slated for May 1-4, 2008. The winner of the bid was a consortium of hobbyists led by Charles Clappsaddle of Goliad Fish Farms (Goliad, TX). The Houston Livebearers Association (HLA), under the leadership of Max Smith, will be the Official Host.
“We are excited for the opportunity to show off Texas hospitality,†remarked Clappsaddle. “San Antonio is Texas ’number one tourist destination, and it also offers the opportunity to see livebearers in their natural habitats.â€
The ALA is a non-profit volunteer organization of hobbyists, scientists, and professional aquarists who breed, study, and collect livebearing fishes. These are fish that give birth to living young, rather than lay eggs like most fish. The ALA publishes a journal and trading post, and sponsors an endowment fund that provides academic scholarships and conservation grants.
“Most people are familiar with the popular guppy and swordtail of home aquariumsâ€, explains ALA Public Relations Chairman, Dr. Ted Coletti. “ALA members are also interested in thousands of other livebearer species and varieties, many of which are threatened with extinction or only survive today in captivity due to pollution, over-development, and the introduction of non-native species.â€
The ALA Convention, slated for the Hilton-San Antonio Airport, will consist of 4 days of expert guest speakers with slides; a multi-class competitive fish show with beautiful and exotic livebearers; an all-day auction of fish and dry goods; and a vendor and manufacturer exposition. But Clappsaddle feels it was the extracurricular activities that put Texas over the top in the bidding.
“It was probably because we offered two fantastic collecting trips (Coleto Creek and San Marcos River) which features wild mollies, cichlids, killies, rare gambusia, and aquatic plants, Clappsaddle explained. “And tours of our fish hatchery, as well as the Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center at Texas State University.â€
Texas hobbyists will also benefit from the Convention. Â
“ALA members from around the world will be bringing fish and plants to San Antonio that most Texas fish keepers have only seen in books or on the internet†explained ALA Chairman Rit Forcier. “There will also be opportunities to share experiences with a multinational group of aquarists.“
The ALA Convention is open to all hobbyists and their families, regardless of membership. Attendees can visit for a few hours or stay the whole weekend. For more information, visit the ALA website at www.livebearer.org, or the Houston Livebearers Association at hla.fotaswebsite.com. Registration materials will be posted by year-end.
- T. Coletti
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