The Goldfish Report publication is back on track; everyone should have received up through the September/October 2007 issue. For info and general updates on the Goldfish Report, take a look here for info from the editor on upcoming issues of the Goldfish Report and the publication schedule. This page is updated as information is provided to the Webmaster.
If you have let your membership lapse or have been thinking about joining the GFSA, now is a great time - here is a form you can print. To submit material for the Goldfish Report to our editor, please see the updated society contact info. Articles and photos in electronic form are particularly appreciated.
The current line-up of people filling the GFSA offices is on the society officers page. The GFSA Board of Directors continues 2007 with a focus on ensuring that the society is undertaking activities and providing services that our members want. Tell us if there is something you really want (even better, volunteer to help us do it).
Interested in joining the GFSA but still not sure? We have two sample Goldfish Reports available to download, to demonstrate that every issue is packed with thought provoking information and pictures available nowhere else. We are also promoting an electronic membership option that significantly lowers the cost of membership! Only $10US gets you a year of informative, timely color issues of the GFSA's Goldfish Report, sent directly to your email inbox.
Lessons Learned "Quick Hits"
We are soliciting short lessons-learned from hobbyists: events that possibly left you sadder, but measurably wiser. Have a good one? Please send it to the . Here is a brief diatribe from the Webmaster:
Impacts of droughts on municipal water supplies: a number of areas in the United States are experiencing significantly lower than normal rainfall levels. For water supplies drawn from rivers or reservoirs, these sources in some cases are exhibiting degraded water quality due to reduced flow or levels. For the fish keeper this has two implications; one is that we may need to consider options to conserve water, for large scale systems, as a good civic behavior.
The other implication is that in some cases the municipal water authorities have had to change their water treatment protocols, to address the degrading source water quality. This can result in different levels of chlorine, chloramine, and possibly other additives. Generally, most products that the fish keeper uses to remove or neutralize these compounds are used in doses that can cover a wide range of chemical concentrations in the source water. However, it is not impossible to have a situation where a the chemical level in the water supply is briefly much higher than normal, or some unexpected additive is present.
So what should you do? Some minimally prudent measures include:
Consider doing more frequent smaller changes rather than infrequent large water changes. For example, do 50% changes instead of 80%.
Keep a bucket of old tank water near by until you are sure that your fish have no difficulty with the new water. If they show abnormal signs of distress, move them to the bucket while you take appropriate measures.
Good luck!