NATIVE FISH FOR THE AQUARIUM, COLLECTING IN THE SOUTHERN USA

SPEAKER

Phil Farrell

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Since the age of 5 Phil wanted to become a taxonomic ichthyologist.  After his first 2 years at the JC system at Santa Rosa he transferred to the UC system at San Diego and started working on his basic biology degree.  He loved the area so much he decided to stay.  He (along with his wife and a partner) opened a retail fish and reptile store, and began collecting on a trip to Sulawesi.  After selling the store they moved to South Florida where, for the next 7 years or so, he managed the South American imports for Dolphin Int. Ltd.  During this time he continued to collect and travel, making 19 trips to New Guinea, Sulawesi, India, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Mexico and all over the Unites States including Hawaii.  

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While in Florida, Phil got his licenses to keep different mammals, reptiles, and birds.  At one time he had a zoo that included big cats, hoofed stock, reptiles, birds and anything else you might think of!  Now he’s just keeping a few things: mouflons, zebras, servals, and my fish, all natives.

Phil sculpts nature to help fund his trips, and sells native fish identification guides to those who are going to collect or are just interested.

TALK

In June Phil went on a 10-state, 20-day collecting trip, ending in Georgia at the Young-Harris College Campus where the North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) annual convention was held.  He collected over 100 native fish species and brought back 20 species for his aquariums.  He will speak on collecting and the convention.