Fish of the Month
A. stuartgranti "chtimba"
Also known as Aulonocara masoni, this is a beautiful Malawian. ...More
Writing for GCCA's Cichlid Chatter
Submissions are Welcome
Please use the attached writing outline for submitting articles. Submit all articles to the editor by
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"What should I write about?", is the question we hear most often. Getting an idea for an article can be difficult, so here are a few recommended topics:
- Articles on Breeding Cichlids
Our members love to read articles on breeding cichlids. To make it easy, please follow the breeding article outline below.
- Tips and Hints
Do you have a fishroom trick that is innovative, interesting or time-saving? E-mail your tip to the editor by clicking here.
- How-To Articles
Articles on homemade tanks, equipment, etc.
- Humorous Articles
Write about a strange fish you have, something to do with kids, or laugh at yourself and write about your own fishy mix-ups.
- Club Related Articles, Social Issues
Write an article about club management or the environment.
Writing and Sending Your Article
Please use the following guidelines:
- Choosing a Title
Use short titles no longer than 24 characters including spaces. If your article is for the Breeders Award Program, add for BAP by your name.
- Citing References
If you use a book or magazine as a reference in your article, please make a note of the complete title, publication date, pages cited, author, etc. If you directly quote, please clearly indicate that in your article .
- Grammar and Spelling
The editors will fix grammar or spelling mistakes. If you are unsure of a scientific name, let us know by adding a mark after the word (SP?).
- Getting Help
If you're not very confident about your writing ability, . The editor will work with you to polish your work so you'll be proud.
- Fact and Opinion
Don't introduce your opinion as a fact unless it can be substantiated in literature or is a generally accepted aquarium fact. Use words like "from my experience", "in my opinion," "I believe that," etc.
- Electronic Submissions
Submit all articles to the editor by- MS-Word
- ASCII File
- JPEG or TIF for pictures
- Snail Mail Submissions
You may send pictures or your article on disk. - Submit all articles to the editor by
Suggested Outline for Breeding Articles
Note: You can also use our Auto-Magic Writer to save time. Try it!
A. Name of Fish
1. Common name (if it has one)
2. Latin name (if you know it)B. Description of Fish
1. Color and general shape
2. Sex differences
3. Size at maturity
4. TemperamentC. Fish's Natural State
1. Geographic location
2. Climate of area
3. Water chemistry, if possibleD. Spawning Tank
1. Size
2. Water temperature and chemistry (if you know)
3. If chemistry altered, how?
4. What substrate, plants, etc.?
5. Type of filtration
6. Situation: light sources, distance from floor, traffic by the tank, etc.E. Set-Up
1. Pairs or Multiples
2. How introduced to tank
3. Any special time of day
4. When to expect spawning
5. How long to leave set-up
6. Feeding during set-upF. Conditioning
1. Were sexes separated?
2. How long were they separated?
3. Any special foods needed for conditioning?G. Description of Spawning
1. What is spawning site?
2. Courtship and spawning actions
3. Spawning colors and patterns
4. Number and description of eggsH. Raising the Fry
1. How long until eggs hatch?
2. Special care of eggs
3. Size and % of hatch
4. When do fry begin to eat?
5. What is the first food?
6. Second food?
7. Special care of young
8. Parental brood care
9. Filtration used with fry
10. Growth rateI. Commentary
1. Difficulty obtaining pairs
2. Interesting habits of adults and fry
3. Any remarks or human interest material
4. Would you recommend this fish to others?
5. Are you still keeping this fish?
6. If you were to breed them again, would you do anything different?
Adapted from American Currents, Journal of North American Native Fishes Association.