about me

Already in my youth I had my first contacts with aquaristics through my parents. At about 10 years old, I got my first own aquarium and started to gain my first experiences with this exciting hobby. In the 1990s, due to my studies in mathematics / computer science and the founding of my IT company, other things came to the fore. However, I returned to the aquarium in 2002.

After the first beginnings in the Usenet newsgroup de.rec.tiere.aquaristik (d.r.t.a) I developed my social network of aquaristic acquaintances and friends more and more. For years now, I have been a member of the German Cichlid Society (DCG), the VDA Zwergcichliden (AKZ) and the International Community Barben-Schmerlen-Salmler-Welse (IG BSSW), or their predecessor, the BSSW working group in the VDA.

My interests are clearly in the underwater fauna of the South American continent, especially in the dwarf cichlids of the genus Apistogramma and the Harnischwelsen. In the meantime, I have cared for more than 25 different Apistogramma species, most of which I could multiply. My biggest passion, however, are the catfish and especially the genus Panaqolus, of which I currently hold about 10 species and increase.

In 2008, for the first time, I had the opportunity to experience my fosterlings live in the wild. I traveled with some friends to Suriname and the Brazilian state of Roraima. Meanwhile, I also went on expeditions to Peru, others to Brazil and with the company JBL I accompanied as a guide a tour group to Venezuela.

About my travels and experiences I report in journals, lectures and of course on this website.