Tours and Events

TOUR TO AQUATIC PLANT NURSERY AND TROPICAL FISH FARM
THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2012 10:00 AM
This is unique tour of a tropical fish farm and the country's largest aquatic plant nursery. The tours will provide a insiders insight into the world of raising aquarium fish and plants for the trade. Transportation will be provided. Space is limited so register early. Lunch on your own. Because of space restrains there will be no POV following.
COLLECTING NATIVES & EXOTICS
FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2012 10:00 AM
You don't want to miss this... Expert Collecting Guide, State Licensed Python Hunter and Big Time ALA speaker/friend Armando Pou will be there to provide his many years of collecting experience on the tour. To quote Armando, “I am always happy to share collecting techniques for different species, IDing fish, etc… I will also explain the seasonal fluctuations of the hydraulic cycle in our area and how it affects breeding patterns, fish populations etc… and I can also get into the impacts of different predation, exotics in the mix…etc…" On the tour you will be collecting livebearers and other aquarium fish like killies, cichlids, catfish, oddballs, and natives. ALA/GCAS will provide transportation, collecting equipment, holding buckets, and most importantly experienced guides. The final stop will be a free BBQ for all convention registrants. Space is limited on first come basis. Sorry no POV following.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION WORKSHOP
SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2012 4:30 PM
The AI workshop will consist of two sections. At the beginning Dr. Levine will give a short (20 minutes) introduction to AI. He will give a detailed presentation of what will happen in the later demonstration. This presentation will be for all participants at once.
The actual, hands on, table demonstrations part will be held in a smaller room to fit a group of 4-5 in order for participants to see the process close up.The workshop focus will be on milking the males to teach participates how to obtain sperm packets from the male swords. The objective here is for the hobbyist/breeder to be able to determine whether their prized male or young and potentially immature male, (which has so far failed to impregnate females), is actually a fertile male. Also as time and equipment permit, there will be attempts to inseminate live females in the workshop. The injecting sperm into the female, especially if the female is small and has not given birth previously can be challenging. Hopefully students will gain enough knowledge from the workshop to be able to successfully inseminate a female at home.
Seating is very limited, only first 25-30 registered for the workshop will be able to participate in hands on demonstration.
THE SATURDAY EVENING RECEPTION / BENEFIT
SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2012 6:00 PM
Our Saturday evening reception is 90 minutes of good friends, networking and FUN! It will be held at 6:00 PM, just before the Awards Dinner. The reception will offer you the opportunity to help the ALA’s two major programs: the Vern Parish Scholarship Fund and the Langhammer Fund for Conservation. Purchase tickets to enjoy your favorite beverage – or try something new! All beverages, including the Root Beer, are donated, so 100% of the proceeds will go directly to fundraising.
We will also be offering a raffle for something you would not likely buy for yourself. Last year one lucky participant won a bottle of 1997 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon valued at $100.
Please plan to attend!
THE SATURDAY EVENING AWARDS BANQUET
SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2012 7:30 PM
Do not miss the Awards Banquet. Dr. Dinney Dinofer, DVM, PHD, WTC Fellow of the World Ichthyological University Dr. Dinofer will shock the audience with some of the most bizarre stories about aquarium fish. This will be his first appearance at an American tropical fish venue since 1986. This will be a banquet program for the whole family.