Hey there. My name is Benji (or Ben) Chavez, and I am a 4th generation born and raised Native Northern Nevadan from right here in Reno as well. I actually graduated from Sparks High in 1992, but live and work on the Reno side of the River now.
My 16 yr old son and I are big fans of Native aggressives, and unfortunately we've just downsized to (3) tanks becasue my son, wife and I are moving into a new place this weekend. Now all we've got are a 55 gal. with some Central Longears, a 30 gallon with some young of year Sacramento Perch, and a 10 gallon with some previous breeding stock female Bettas of my son's
We just had to get rid of our (2) Largemouth Bass, and Black Bullhead that we had kept for over 2 years, as well as our breeding colony of Green Sunfish. Unfortunately, our new home is smaller than the previous one, but we do have access to a 150 gallon when we finally get settled, and everything situated. I think that when we graduate to the 150, we'll probably consolidate the other tanks too, and just have the one big one. Only time will tell on that though.
I am VERY interested in keeping AGGRESSIVE fish, and have had a great deal of enjoyment and success with the Bass and Sunfish varieties, but have often dreamed of keeping an eating machine like the Channa species, as well as the Gars, and Bowfins. I'd love to pick up one of those South American Gars or a Peacock Bass as well, but it will have to wait a bit.
I think something like a snakehead would just be fantastic, but again, thanks to Nat. Geo. the whole country has gone mad regarding them. The ancient fish species like the Bowfins seem to have a lot to offer aggressive enthusiasts as well, but the coloration of the Channa species are simply AMAZING! Of course everyone likes Dragonfish as well, but that's a LOT of $$ for someone like myself right now. The Largemouths that we used to keep are pretty in terms of color, but NOT like the Channas. Those things are remarkable .
Still, MFK has a HUGE VARIETY of cool, and aggressive fish for the home aquarist. I JUST found this site after reading a thread on the NANFA (North American Native Fish Association) forums. Needless to say, I am QUITE HAPPY to have found Monster Fish keepers, and look forward to all of the great info to be found here.
If any of you would ever like to get in touch, please feel free to PM me or e-mail me directly. I LOVE to collect natives, as well as fish for sport. I try to go fishing at least 3 times a weeks, and am just getting back into flyfishing, but Bass fishing preoccupies most of my time. That is until I can get into Falconry...
Take care,
Ben.
My 16 yr old son and I are big fans of Native aggressives, and unfortunately we've just downsized to (3) tanks becasue my son, wife and I are moving into a new place this weekend. Now all we've got are a 55 gal. with some Central Longears, a 30 gallon with some young of year Sacramento Perch, and a 10 gallon with some previous breeding stock female Bettas of my son's
We just had to get rid of our (2) Largemouth Bass, and Black Bullhead that we had kept for over 2 years, as well as our breeding colony of Green Sunfish. Unfortunately, our new home is smaller than the previous one, but we do have access to a 150 gallon when we finally get settled, and everything situated. I think that when we graduate to the 150, we'll probably consolidate the other tanks too, and just have the one big one. Only time will tell on that though.
I am VERY interested in keeping AGGRESSIVE fish, and have had a great deal of enjoyment and success with the Bass and Sunfish varieties, but have often dreamed of keeping an eating machine like the Channa species, as well as the Gars, and Bowfins. I'd love to pick up one of those South American Gars or a Peacock Bass as well, but it will have to wait a bit.
I think something like a snakehead would just be fantastic, but again, thanks to Nat. Geo. the whole country has gone mad regarding them. The ancient fish species like the Bowfins seem to have a lot to offer aggressive enthusiasts as well, but the coloration of the Channa species are simply AMAZING! Of course everyone likes Dragonfish as well, but that's a LOT of $$ for someone like myself right now. The Largemouths that we used to keep are pretty in terms of color, but NOT like the Channas. Those things are remarkable .
Still, MFK has a HUGE VARIETY of cool, and aggressive fish for the home aquarist. I JUST found this site after reading a thread on the NANFA (North American Native Fish Association) forums. Needless to say, I am QUITE HAPPY to have found Monster Fish keepers, and look forward to all of the great info to be found here.
If any of you would ever like to get in touch, please feel free to PM me or e-mail me directly. I LOVE to collect natives, as well as fish for sport. I try to go fishing at least 3 times a weeks, and am just getting back into flyfishing, but Bass fishing preoccupies most of my time. That is until I can get into Falconry...
Take care,
Ben.
to MFK 
