wpe1.jpg (4819 bytes)Al Castro

"Speaking of Killies" (top of Page)

Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Windsor I & II Rooms

The killifish specialty hobby is an easy hobby to become involved in and to show some success. But as time progresses, we have a chance to develop our techniques and we often find that it is more difficult to show the same rate of success that we did at the beginning. This is often not a factor of what we are doing but a factor of what we no long feel the need to do because we have advanced beyond the "beginner's level." This program is both a back-to-basics program and a reminder that all killifish are not created equal and that a "trick" that works with one species does not necessarily mean that it will work for all species.

Biography (top of Page)

Al was presented two goldfish on the day of his birth and the die was cast. Graduating from goldfish to guppies and on to mollies, it was onward and upward for him, and many water changes later, Al has established himself as a leading expert in the aquarium hobby, enjoying a diverse and fascinating career. In addition to his 12 years as a professional aquarist at the Steinhart Aquarium of the California Academy of Sciences, Al has been involved in the importation of both freshwater and marine fish, run a fish hatchery, operated an aquarium consulting business and managed an aquarium maintenance business.

He has been active in the aquarium hobby since he joined the San Francisco Aquarium Society in 1954. Al served 20 years on the Board of Directors ( president 3 times ) of the S.F.A.S. It was at a 1964 S.F.A.S. general meeting that Al learned about the American Killifish Association and he joined the following month. He has been a member since that time. He has served 5 years on the A.K.A. Board of Trustees and was the 1982 A.K.A. Chairman. He is also a Fellow of the A.K.A.

Al's interest in killifish is all encompassing but the focal point changes every few years. Rivulus, Epiplatys, lampeye killies and South American annuals get the most outward attention but pupfish is his e-mail address, so that must count for something. He claims that he has never met a killifish that he didn't like but admits that there are one or two that he doesn't care if he never has again.

Contact Information (top of Page)

ALFRED D.CASTRO
111 Arleta Ave
San Francisco, CA 94134-2305

E-Mail: pupfish@ix.netcom.com

(Return to the main Convention page)