FISHASCOPE is the new central hub for all things aquatics in the U.S.  Everything from product reviews and tips & tricks to expert articles and members’ show room photo galleries.  FISHASCOPE is here to move the aquatics industry and hobbyists out of 1982 and into the new millenium.

Who am I?

I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you about where the site will be going and what you can expect from it in the future.

First, on myself: I am a lifelong aquarium hobbyist, a real “fish guy” at heart!  I grew up in the pet business as my family owned a local fish store for over 20 years.  This afforded me the opportunity to dabble in nearly every nook and cranny of the hobby and has led to a lifelong passion for fish keeping.  I’ve kept everything from a small community tank as a young boy, to saltwater reefs, live planted aquariums, and African cichlids - both Malawi and Tanganyika.  I must say I am particularly partial to the Tanganyikans myself.

Why did I start FISHASCOPE?

I started FISHASCOPE out of general frustration with the current state of the aquatics hobby and the ability to find quality information on the net about my passion.  It’s been my experience that a majority of fish clubs, websites, and organizations seem to be solely populated and promoted by creepy weirdos stuck in 1979, without my foresight for where to take the hobby in the coming years.

Additionally, I am from the midwest and have found over many years that most of the best information, pictures, and anything else about aquatics is found on sites ending in “co.uk” or quite simply, “not in the U.S.”  Why is it that (basically) every U.S. website looks like it was made in 1992 and haven’t been updated since ‘93?  Now, of course, I know there are plenty of exceptions but if you’ve been around or searched for good information on this topic, you know I’m not completely off base here…

The future of fish keeping

For me, fish keeping has always been as much about the “living art” and sheer beauty of the aquarium in the home as it has anything else.  To me, a carefully decorated and well kept 70 gallon Tanganyikan tank is just as stunning of a centerpiece to the home as the 52″ plasma television across the room.  Let’s bring back the aquarium as the fine piece of furniture in place of the slimy cube of water stinking in the corner!

I’m here today to lead the charge into a new era of fishkeeping in the United States!  I want to know who is with me!  I am currently looking for some supporting authors and guest commentators for the site so if you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible.  Just leave a comment below and we’ll be in touch immediately!

What can you expect from FISHASCOPE?

Probably one of the biggest areas I’d like to focus on is Aquatics Product Reviews.  Many of the best aquatics manufacturers including Hagen, Central Aquatics, Marineland, and Eheim are constantly developing new, innovative, and sometimes disappointing products.  I’m here to tell you which ones fall into which category - separating the good from the bad and ugly!

Additionally, I plan to feature articles on advanced topics not typically discussed in the U.S. especially.  Everything from advanced live planted systems to nano reefs among many others.

Finally, let’s show off our masterpieces!  I’ll be creating a forum for aquatics discussions as well as a featured picture “show room” for members to show off their hard work!  Stay tuned for more on this and if you’d like to contribute, let us know below in the comments!

More to come soon and happy fish keeping!