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Kathy England,
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Babes In The Cichlid Hobby
“Excellence Through Experience”

By Kathy England
From "Cichlid Tails", Texas Cichlid Association
Aquarticles

Babes In The Cichlid Hobby originated during the 1994 American Cichlid Association convention in San Antonio, Texas. We girls had noticed how nervous the guys were whenever a group of women would begin a discussion on the edge of the Hospitality Room. In order to break the tension and penetrate this hardcore group of male cichlidiots, we had to come up with a plan. This was the beginning of the Women’s Auxiliary, which in a few months would be renamed “Babes In the Cichlid Hobby” or “B.I.T.C.H.”

In the years since 1994, the Babes have become an active, almost militant, group with regard to their passions – cichlids and cichlidkeeping. Activities have included hosting a toga party where willing fellows were auctioned off as slaves, thus raising money for the causes closest to the Babes’ hearts: cichlid research and conservation of cichlid habitat. Additional fundraisers have included t-shirt sales as well as silent auctions held during local club functions around the country and at annual ACA conventions. The Babes have raised at least $10,000 for deposit into the Guy D. Jordan Endowment Fund and the Paul V. Loiselle Conservation Fund.

Once again, Babes In The Cichlid Hobby will sponsor a silent auction at the ACA convention, with all proceeds going to the above funds. To be successful, we need your help. Please clean out your closets and shelves and donate to this worthy cause. Books, artwork, t-shirts (new and used) and other fish clothing, antique aquarium objects, and photographs are a few of the more popular items. One fish person’s trash is another fish person’s treasure. Every cent collected goes to the Jordan and Loiselle Funds.

Additionally, in Atlanta, the Babes will host a Bathrobe Party in the Hospitality Room Saturday night at midnight. Bathrobes required; curlers and Noxema optional. Contest categories and awards will be announced later. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this fun activity.

Congratulations to the Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies on its 50th anniversary. We are proud to say that Texas has been a big influence on the success of Babes In The Cichlid Hobby in the past; we know that influence will continue on into the future!