Conversion of Team Universal
Fellow fish hobbyists I have decided to change up my current Flowerhorn Team a bit. I have been a active fish hobbyist for 17 years now. Always loved all fish, kept almost everything with the last 6 years focused almost primarily on Flowerhorn. However all cichlids and fish for that matter I have a soft spot for. I started team universal about half a year ago with the intention of this team and or club being for those who were dedicated to the advancement of hybrids around the world. This was good but the dedication was not there.
So now I now wish to change this a bit.
Since I have been in SoCal the last year. I have meet quite a bit of local hobbyist with interest in hybrid and new world cichlids. Yet it has been the one's who were interested in the new world who have left the impression on me with deep passion and commitment to the hobby. Not to say hybrid lovers are not! As some of them including myself are some of the most avid keepers in the hobby today. Regardless this has opted me to change my mind about team universal and sparked a new idea. What I would like to do is open this team up. For members of any forum, fish preference, and location around the world to become a part of the team. I wish this to be more of a club than a team and promote the hobby through people who can show proven dedication to it. I would like to expand the rang from not only all types of hybrid strains, but also all cichlids new and old world as well. In the hybrid world the fish keepers there have an added bonus to the fish keeping experience (so long as they have the quality) that other cichlid keepers do not. They have the option to actually compete with there fish in events and contests for tiles and prizes/ honor and respect. This type of motivation is what the hobby needs to open up to with other fish, and I would like this to start with us here in SoCal and open up to wider ambitions!
I have a forum that is only accessible and viewable for team members @ flowerhornrusforum.com that can be used for weekly meetings and also general postings as well as a private chat room there too. I would like to see if any of the members here that have the proven passion for this hobby are interested to join up and see what can be done? I also would like to look into monthly meetings for all the SoCal members interested, thinking of planning some sort of events (fish competitions both in person for local members and on line one's for others). With possible LSF sponsor ship and prizes for winners. Weekly or bi-weekly meets on line as well. This type for group participation not only benefits those in the club but also those outside as well. Would like to plan little contests for the fun of members as well as people outside the club who belong to fish forums like MFK etc. Banning together allows doors to be opened Breeding and collecting goals to be more easily archived. With what is not kept to go towards benefiting others in the hobby. Local group buys are done much easier this way as well. I myself have contacts all over the country and globe in the fish world, and I am sure other do too. Being a part of something larger than yourself allows others to come up as well. I would like to have a few members step up here in SoCal and see what can come of it on the local front? Keep in mind anyone can take part on line as well?
If this strikes any of your interests please step forward and lets here from you! Anything someone has to say will be considered. Even if you are not interested feel free to comment. If you are a seriously interested than I would like to know. Lets see how deep the passion runs...
