Greater Seattle Aquarium Society

Friday May 8th, evening (time TBD) - Biotope Live Aquascaping Workshop
Saturday, May 9th, 1:00 PM - “The Pantanal and its Biotopes”
both at SPU, Otto Miller Hall Room 109

Tai Strietman is a biologist and aquarist from the UK. He’s spent the last 20 years exploring Brazil particularly the biotopes of the Patanal. His research of the fish community of the Salobra River delta in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil, formed the thesis basis for his Masters in Animal Biology from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Since then Tai has used his social media platforms such as Biotopia on YouTube and Instagram to communicate his love of these biotopes and the “Biotope” style of aquascaping. His book will be released in the next year Aquatic Habitats: Aquariums Inspired by Nature.

Tai will be giving a Biotope aquascaping workshop on Friday May 8th at 6 pm (special day, special time!!!), and speaking about the Patanal and its biotopes the next afternoon at our normal monthly meeting. The tank he 'scapes on Friday night will be auctioned off at our Monthly Auction after the Saturday presentation (sellers, pre-register your stuff here).

Our new CAP chair Terrance has brought back a favorite contest -- the Great White Cloud Race!

Rules

1. Obtain six (6) regular form Tanicthys albonubes (White Cloud Mountain Minnow) from a sponsor store for the club
2. Nourish and breed your group of fish from May 2026 to October 2026
3. Submit a picture showing your fry and give us your total to CAP@gsas.org by November 11th
4. Winners will be announced at the Holiday party

GSAS is proud to announce that registration is now open for the All-Aquarium Catfish Convention! Read our convention page for full details on the seven amazing speakers, banquet, field trip, shirts and yes, the return of the pub glass!

Thanks to all who attended our record-breaking plant and fish auction this month, from the bidders and sellers, to the auctioneers, recorders, check-in table, runners and all the other volunteers. We hope everyone came home with something interesting for their aquariums. And a special thanks to the generous donation from Florida Aquatic Nurseries!

The back half of the season is going to be amazing -- just look at what's in store:

• January 10 - Lake Tanganyikan Cichlids with Keith Fournier
• February 14 - Livebearers with Greg Sage of Select Aquatics
• March 14 - Home Show Presentation & Awards
• April 11 - Our Huge General Auction
• May 8 & 9 - Aquascaping Workshop and Brazilian Biotope with Tai Strietman of Biotopia
• June 13 - Puffer Breeding and Keeping with Matt Proctor aka Mountaintop Puffer Keeper

All GSAS meetings and auctions are on Saturday now. For questions on speakers or events, e-mail us at info@gsas.org