Breeders: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

       How many of you have bought from a local breeder or importer?  If you are reading this article, the chances are that you have ordered from a breeder or are planning on doing so sometime in the future.  Either way it is a way to buy fish that is cost effective and allows you to get the highest quality cichlids in the world. I have talked to a number of breeders and have had the result of being absolutly enlightened by their knowledge and courtesy to being shoved off as an annoying pest that is just one in a million of people wanting answers to their fish buying needs.  Three things to consider when buying fish are: 1. What is the quality of the fish you are buying.  2.  How knowledgeable and polite are the staff.  3.  Reputation.
         One of the most important parts of buying fish is knowing the quality of the fish you are buying.  Quality of the fish is dependant on a number of things including where the fish come from, what number from wild fish the fish are,  and care and upkeep of the fish.  Many fish that you find in aquarium stores are farmed raised in Florida.  They are of an unknown birth in most cases (meaning no one knows is they are F1, F2, etc.).  The cichlids you buy in fish stores could be F10's and you wouldn't know the difference where as breeders deal with a somewhat more limited amount of fish allowing for better care and attention to details such as the number out of the wild the babies are.  You should also make sure what you're paying for is what you're getting.  A good example of this is the well known Tropheus Moori "Ilangi" from Nkambe Bay.  For some time and even now Ilangi's are some of the most sought after of the tropheus species.  I have seen fish that have the bright gorgeous yellow flank and others that resemble versions on the "rainbows" and even Kachese.  It is important that you make sure what you think you are buying is what you are buying.  A great way to figure this out is to use the proverb "If its too good to be true than it probably isn't" meaning if the fish is too cheap make sure beyond a doubt it is that fish.  Ilangis have been considered hard to get to due to the fact that they are located in crocidile infested waters so they command an unusually high price.  Another important factor is the care and upkeep of the fish being sold.  I have seen many fish being fed foods they aren't supposed to be fed and being kept in too small of a tank with too many fish.  Ask the breeder how they are shipped and kept which leads us to the breeders.
          I have talked to many a breeder.  They are all, for the most part, very knowledgeable.  Some breeders do however know more than others.  A good example of a breeder with unending knowledge and courtesy are Keegan and Ken Armke.  I have talked to Keegan for quite some time just asking questions about new species and cost without ever buying a single fish from them (I am some day going to buy a huge shipment from them when I have the time and space).  They know just about anything you want to know about any existing fish in the aquarium hobby and are happy to discuss it with you.  Don't get me wrong though, these people must make money as well.  They are running a business but it is good to know that whom you are buying from will help you if you need it.  There are the not so polite breeders.  I have had bad experiences with private breeders being to busy to talk with you about the fish in which you are buying and lean more toward making the most money possible in the least amount of time (A man that belongs to the Milwaukee Aquarium Society and works at Hoffers Pets in Milwaukee, WI is a good example of the not so good breeders).
          Another important factor is the people that have recieved the fish and how happy they were with their new pets.  The important thing to do is ask around.  I know of many people that have been very satisfied with the fish they purchased from such places as Kerrigan's Aquatics and Armkes.
          In conclusion buying from breeders can be the best bet for finding top quality cichlids at relatively low prices, but always remember that you should first review and talk to the establishments you buy from.