Fishkeeping, is it an art or a science, maybe a mixture of the two?

From the beginner to the advanced, the professional and novice The Scientific Fishkeeper aims to aid in the advancement of knowledge for any fishkeeper. Fishkeeping should be a hobby about constantly questioning and researching, this is our aim, for the advancement of knowledge and the fishes welfare.

Opinions might be stated but focusing on the realistic and latest science, critically analysing our sources to give the reader a reliable understanding. All sources where possible will be cited, the beginners section might not be but citations can be provided if possible to those who ask. This makes us different here, we want to ensure our readers can track information back where possible.

Why is the beginners section lacking citations:

This is generally because they are not controversial, I hope but to give people a little background before they go anywhere else. I feel it is important to have that background and do not feel this website excludes those starting out. I, the editor started out with Apistogramma cacatuoides as my first fish, maybe it was the deep end but if we are passionate is there any harm in that? We also need to know there is no end in our learning from the start beyond just seeing more species, the hobby should not be about collecting, we can be better fishkeepers in other ways.

Interested in writing for us? Please contact us at: freshwaterichthyology@gmail.com

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Editor and Curator: Rebecca Bentley BSc (Soton.) MRes (ICL)

Rebecca is a freshwater ichthyologist specialising in catfishes specifically Loricariidae. She is currently studying for a PhD in UK on the evolution of Loricariid catfishes (Plecos to the aquarist) with previous research experience largely focused on Loricariids, Callichthyidae (Corydoras and relatives) and corals. Having completed an undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Southampton focusing in evolution, physiology and fish biology Rebecca has a sound background in aquatic biology. Her masters in Biosystematics at Imperial College London and the Natural History Museum has given her a wide knowledge of the taxonomy, evolution and morphology of catfishes. During Rebecca’s studies she worked for 6 years in a variety of aquatic retail stores specialising in freshwater fishes although has experience with marine and outdoor fishkeeping.                                                                                                  Equally as importantly Rebecca has 16 years constant experience with aquariums focusing in Loricariids, discus and oddballs. Previously she has personally had interests in goldfishs, Betta splendens and more general cichlids. In addition to this, Rebecca has written many articles for different publications and been involved with the description of Corydoras bethanae.