Have we considered...

lampeye · Post by **lampeye** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:18 am

...taking the FW crustacean hobby to the next level? That is to say, a national/international society, along the lines of the ACA, AKA, DKG, AGA etc?

There is certainly enough interest, as well as enough knowledge to support a monthly/bimonthly journal. Questions to consider:

Would it be an umbrella organization including all FW invertebrates? Including the snail hobby would swell the ranks.

Would there be a desire for a printed journal? This could increase appeal/exposure beyond the web community.

Monthly trading post?

This is just to get the idea out there and see what you all have to say.

Post by **Mustafa** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:32 am

I've been considering this since I started the website!

I've been actually thinking about various names for the organization for a few years now, trying to find the most appropriate one. The reason I have not gone ahead yet is because I still don't think that there is critical mass in the hobby yet. Despite the fact that we have quite a bit of activity in this forum, the hobby is still very, very new. I'm going to give it another year or two before going ahead with the establishment of a national organization. We are definitely going to need one very, very soon and I'm extremely excited about it.

lampeye · Post by **lampeye** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:46 am

There might be more interest than you think - I know several members of the Delaware County Aquarium Society were trying to start a snail/crusty club. I'm willing to bet that there's a sizeable base of invert hobbyists out there who lack an internet presence.

Post by **Mustafa** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:29 am

There might be more people, but they need to make themselves more visible then. We can't just go ahead and get things rolling on the assumption that there is probably a large "dark matter" portion of hobbyists out there.

Plus, many shrimp species are not really offered in stores as they are small (don't draw attention right away) and the stores don't know how to keep them alive for long, so many never re-order shrimp. This might have something to do with the fact that stores usually get imported shrimp, which are usually not in all that great shape....but who really knows. Plus, there are no books or any really knowledgeable people out there as the hobby is really brand new. As a result you almost have to go online to really participate in the shrimp hobby. Hence, there can't be all that much "dark matter" out there although I am sure there are a few experienced "old timers" who have just started keeping shrimp after decades of keeping fish. I would highly encourage those individuals to at least look at this website once in a while, though. And once they do, they might as well join the forum.

In any case...I am dying to start an organization, so things will get going sooner than later but I just don't want to rush things. Timing is (almost) everything after all.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:21 am

Ohhhh, thats a GREAT thought Lampeye!

The thought is very exciting

I like the monthly journal idea too!

Perhaps even forum members could contribute articles?

Awsome idea.

-John

lampeye · Post by **lampeye** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:01 pm

Mustafa wrote:There might be more people, but they need to make themselves more visible then. We can't just go ahead and get things rolling on the assumption that there is probably a large "dark matter" portion of hobbyists out there.

Agreed 100%. But don't forget about advertising - a little 3 line ad in the back of FAMA and or TFH would pay for itself in the info you get back - a finger on the pulse, as it were. Also, to anybody out there in forumland, next time you're at your local aquarium club meeting, ask around.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:15 pm

In any case...I am dying to start an organization, so things will get going sooner than later but I just don't want to rush things. Timing is (almost) everything after all.

I agree on all points!

Also, to anybody out there in forumland, next time you're at your local aquarium club meeting, ask around.

Great advice, we should all do our part to get things moving

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:16 pm

Maybe in the monthly journal thing, there could be a featured shrimp photo article, selected from the forum user gallerys...

I think i'm getting ahead of myself now

I think a add in TFH would probably do well, but don't forget that there was a article in there not too long ago. Thats how I found this place.

-John