A<$c$>pproximately ten years ago, someone gave Nyon Steede’s father an unwanted, 18-gallon tropical fish tank. Thanks to his best friend, a tropical fish enthusiast, the younger Steede knew they made attractive viewing, but nothing about their care and maintenance, so he did what so many beginners do — he filled the tank with water, added the same variety of fish his friend had, and sat back to enjoy them. Soon he noticed that his collection wasn’t looking as good as his friend’s and he sought the latter’s advice.

Unable to answer, when asked what the Ph level of the water was, Mr. Steede realised there was more to a home aquarium than topping up the water and dropping in some food, so he and his friend both attended a meeting of the Bermuda Fry-Angle Aquarium Society.

At first, they felt intimidated by members using the scientific names of fish, but today Mr. Steede has become just as proficient, and even reassures new members that they too will have the same facility in time.

Certainly, he has come a long way from those days of neophyte innocence. In addition to a wide scientific vocabulary, his overall knowledge has increased to such an extent that he now focuses on one particular genus of fish, in addition to acquiring more and bigger tanks — so many, in fact, that he is poised to create a special room for them all, which is good news for the newlywed, whose bride, while “supportive” does not share her husband’s affinity for the hobby.

“I have 18 tanks at home, the largest of which is 180 gallons, plus one at my office, and a few which are still empty,” he says.

Where once Mr. Steede’s interest was Discus fish, today he has branched off to and focuses on another species of cichlids, as the genus is known: the Central American cichlid, which has an average size of 12 inches.

“There are many different colour varieties and shapes, some of which are so hard to find that I actually have a species wish list,” Mr. Steede says.

Attending cichlid conventions in the US is an integral part of the dedicated hobbyist’s lifestyle, and it is here that he acquires many of the sought-after fish for his collection.

A highlight at the American Cichlid Convention is the auctioning off of fish at its end, which is how Mr. Steede acquires specific fish.

“It is a lot cheaper to buy fish at the convention because there are so many,” he says. “This year, the auction started at 10 a.m. and continued until 3 a.m. the following morning. It’s crazy. They keep going until all the fish are sold.”

Like all auctions, fish are catalogued by number, enabling bidders to pinpoint their interests in specific items.

Since those who attend conventions come from all over the world, getting the oftentimes expensive fish home safe and sound is important, but not as impossible as one might think, thanks to the wonders of sturdy plastic bags, duct tape, solid plastic containers, and a good suitcase.

If that seems a bizarre way of transporting live fish, Mr. Steede assures that — barring an unforeseen leak — the method works safely and well, provided one secures the requisite certificate from our Department of the Environment.

“Before 9/11 we were able to bring back more fish because we used to pack coolers with plastic bags, but after 9/11 it became more difficult. So now we put a plastic container in a suitcase and then put the bags of fish in that,” he says.

Having twice won the coveted ‘Best in Show’ award at the annual Fry-Angle show, Mr. Steede leaves nothing to chance in preparing his fish for their big day, when they will be judged on maturity, finnage, conditioning and deportment (demonstration of characteristic behaviour). Like all beauty contestants, his show fish are carefully reared from fry in individual tanks to avoid potential damage from other fish — a process which begins two years ahead of show time.

While he no longer worries about the pH of water because of the sophisticated equipment which aerates and conditions plain old tap water, when it comes to food, Mr. Steede administers a careful diet. Herbivores don’t digest protein, while carnivores eat other fish, the latter being known as “feeders”.

His breeding programme starts when the fish are young, because that is when they pair up and choose a mate, thus giving the best chance for spawning later on.

“To try to introduce a female fish when they are 12 inches long will cause a lot of aggression, and the male may end up killing the female,” Mr. Steede says.

Fish tank fatalities will also result when the wrong types of cichlids are combined in the same habitat.

“Community” fish are so-called because they will live in harmony with others, whereas aggressive fish are just the opposite — and will fight to the death.

“As you get into the hobby you learn which fish go with each other, although sometimes you learn by trial and error because the books might say they don’t get along well but you try it out and it works.”

In terms of fish tank décor, Mr. Steede eschews artificial plants and gizmos, preferring instead natural materials, such as driftwood and live plants, although he concedes that the latter are no longer imported, due to contamination problems on a previous shipment.

In terms of the society itself, the current vice-president and treasurer describes its approximately 40 members — who are of all ages, both sexes and from all walks of life — as “a wonderful group” who also enjoy doing things for the community. They have donated one tank to Francis Patton School, and another to a Warwick rest home as well as organising a volunteer to maintain it, as well as donating funds to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo for the purchase of a buoy, chain and anchor, as part of a special project; and also to the American Cichlid Association (ACA) for its conservation fund.

“Our Society, which is the smallest club as far as the ACA is concerned, has donated the most money of any fish club,” Mr. Steede says. “The funds go towards saving fish habitats, some of which are close to extinction.”

Not close to extinction, however, is the Island’s “national” drink, the dark ‘n’ stormy, which Society members are apparently renowned for dispensing at their convention parties.

When asked what it is about his hobby that makes him pursue it so avidly, Mr. Steede says: “I like it because it is calming. I taught high school for 11 years, which at times could be very stressful. There is also some stress related to my current job as the human resources manager for the Ministry of Education.”