RIP Wayne Leibel

[Aquamojo]

I guess this could be in a different forum, but most who knew him will be here. So sad to hear that the hobby has lost a real pioneer and, for me, a very good friend. If you've been in the hobby for a while and in particular, keeping large cichlids, you probably have heard the name Dr. Wayne Leibel. He passed away this weekend. One memory that will stick forever is a comment he made in a presentation I attended. He said that it wasn't scientists and doctors that gave us the most information about our aquarium fish. It was the hobbyists that added the most. They sit and observe what's going on while they are in the tanks. I'll never forget that. Made me really pay deeper attention to what goes on behind the glass. RIP, Wayne. You will be missed. Love ya brother.

 

[newworld]

Yea he was a guy that was an academic but he was just a normal guy that could talk fish without being pompous remember we are talking about fish haha, I remember meeting him at the hospitality suite in Chicago in the 90’s at either the classic or an aca, I still remember what I asked him...is their a difference between geophagus steindachneri or Pellegrini... I saw him throughout the years at various conventions hanging out and talking fish, a very personable and humble guy it’s too bad...

 

[duanes]

and he could get around on the accordeen.

 

[neutrino]

One of the true gentlemen, true experts, and one of the finest educators in the hobby...

 

[dogofwar]

RIP to one of the true cichlid legends and an amazingly nice guy. I attribute Wayne's Eartheater articles in FAMA in the 80s to getting me hooked on cichlids. Getting to see him at various fish events over the years was a treat. A great memory: my daughter - then about 6-7 - joined me in watching his presentation on acaras. After the the talk, we saw him and told him how much we appreciated his talk on brown fish. Siena said something like, "My dad likes brown fish best." I told him that Siena was paying attention during his talk and he asked her what "Aequidens" means. A little voice said, "equal teeth. conical ones." He smiled and so did I. What a loss...