Pat Hartman

Pat Hartman has been keeping fish for over 35 years.  Although not a founding member, he has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan Aquarium Society (SWMAS) since early 1979.  In the early 1980’s he developed a special interest in livebearing fishes, and rapidly became involved with the American Livebearer Association (ALA) where he served in various capacities including Chairman.

Pat is involved in most every aspect of the ALA, having won several major Show Awards at the ALA Convention, participates in the Species Maintenance Program, serves as auctioneer, and has finally reached the elusive magical level of 150 species in the Breeder’s Award Program.  Pat was also instrumental in the formation of the ALA Vern Parish Fund where he served as Co-Chairman from 1996-2007.  Today he specializes almost exclusively in wild species of Livebearers.  Pat was honored by being named “Fellow of the ALA” in 2006.

Pat will share some of his experiences & expertise with a program entitled “Wild Livebearers I Have Known”.  This talk will cover various aspects of keeping livebearing fish, including “what is a livebearer?”, biology & breeding, importance of Species Maintenance, Collection locations, & examples of wild habitat.  Detailed descriptions of various species of Goodeids and Poecilieds are also presented.