One problem with raising lyretail swordtails is that the males are functionally sterile. While they produce viable sperm, they have an elongated gonopodium (a penis-like modified anal fin used to inject sperm into the female), which prevents them from mating. Lyretail in xiphophorines (members of ... Read More
Blog
We have moved our content to YouTube! There is a wealth of information on in the blogs from 2013 - 2021 that we will maintain for your review. For more updated content, head over to our YouTube channel or Facebook page.
Poecilia mexicana, Campeche
We recently processed our Poecilia mexicana, Campeche. We got this wild molly species in June 2009 from Dr. Ptacek of Clemson University. The "Campeche" notation indicates that Dr. Ptacek collected the fish in Campeche, Mexico. It has proven to be one of our most popular short finned mollies. The ... Read More
Quarantine Procedures
I got this question from Tim Gray of Beeville, Texas, that I think is very interesting, so I’m blogging about it: “Mr. Clapsaddle, could you explain your quarantine practices when bringing in wild stock or from unknown sources?” Here was my response: Tim, This is a great topic. We have ... Read More
Convict Cichlid Photo Contest
In our newsletter No. 11 we ran the following contest: “This month we are running another photo contest. I’m changing the contest from fish identification to something a bit more interesting (read, “more difficult”). The blurry photo below shows a mixed pair of Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, the ... Read More
Equipment for Collecting Trips
The photo shows the author and a son collecting fish using a seine net. Grandchildren are optional equipment when collecting. In Newsletter No. 11 I set up the following contest: “We are continuing the Email Contest and will give a free (including shipping) two pound bag of Simple Pet Products ... Read More
Fish Breeding: Trichogaster trichopterus, the Blue Gourami
Below is an article on fish breeding from the August 2013 newsletter. I'm reposting these as blogs so that they are searchable on our website. Fish Breeding: This month I’ll talk about how we breed Blue Gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus). This fish is the easiest of the anabantids to raise. ... Read More
Poecilia latipinna, Mustang Island to Siegen University in Germany
The photo shows the Poecilia latipinna, Mustang Island collection site. This post is about the saga of Poecilia latipinna and Siegen University in Germany. Years ago we got an order from Siegen University for Poecilia latipinna (our native green sailfin molly) from Comal Springs in New ... Read More
Fish tip: Fish Feeding
This post is a section from the August 2013 Goliad Farms monthly newsletter. Sign up to receive the full monthly newsletter here. How to Feed Your Fish: Get plastic fish; they require no care! Okay, seriously, feeding is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the hobby, probably because ... Read More
Gambusia Expedition
Photo: Grandchildren at waterfall where we searched for Gambusia montanaensis. Today I start a new regimen, that of blogging daily (or almost) instead of writing a monthly newsletter. This will allow me to keep things fresh. The newsletter will continue, primarily as an index to the my blogs, but ... Read More
Mollies: To Salt or Not to Salt
To salt or not to salt, that is the question... I often get asked about mollies and salt. Typical of this question is what Mandee Widrick Flanders wrote on our Facebook page: “Hi Ash & Goliad Farms, As someone who is relatively new to keeping sailfin mollies (about 6 months in), I've heard ... Read More