Jim Robinson BA MSc ED. Married 40 years with 3 children (Julie, Cam & Danny) & 3 grandchildren (Christopher, Joshua, Logan). Retired teacher. in Tropical fish for 40 years. Has spawned over 850 spp. of fish & propagated over 180 spp. of aquatic plants. Works with over 650 aquariums in a specially constructed underground 'bunker.' Written many articles for Local, National & International Clubs. Written articles for TFH & FAMA (spawning Synodontis) (spawning Altum angels). Owner of Aqualog Books, Fish & Plants. Lectured all over the US & Canada at club meetings & National conventions (AKA, ALA, OCA, CRLCA, ACA, CKA, FAAS) as both a Key Note Speaker. Experienced hobbyist and after dinner speaker. Senior judge for AKA, CAOAC, ALA. Auctioneer who knows the value of fish, gets good prices, and is humorous & speedy. Other interests include adding to his enormous aquarium book collection, orchids, Bonsai, Nepenthes, Poison Dart Frogs, tennis (a fanatic), volleyball & coaching kids.

Talks
In general, I can speak on any topic provided that I have enough advance notice (2 - 3 months) with the exceptions of: Reef Tanks, Salt Water Fish, Barbs & Characins. I feel that I do not have enough experience in these areas to answer detailed questions. I do have a number of "Canned Talks" that I do frequently and can have ready with a 2 week notice. I never give exactly the same talk twice so I do need some time to make changes. Most clubs have a limited budget for speakers. Most spend between $50.00 -$100.00. I will not accept more. Additionally, I only request 3 things:

(1) no money comes out of my pocket for the privilege of speaking to your club (expenses, ie. Travel, lodging, meals). (My wife’s mandate! I’d probably pay you to talk fish!). I would prefer to bivouac at someone's home & eat home-cooked meals anyway. Visiting with fellow hobbyists and staying up ‘til 5:00 AM talking fish is optional.
(2) a year's membership to your club.
(3) a club crest (or cheap memento of my visit )

If you wish me to speak at a large Convention of general hobbyists or a specialized Convention of the "very knowledgeable" hobbyists - NO PROBLEM. I gear all of my talks to the type of folks in attendance. Just let me know.

Topics
Killies
(1) Introduction to Killies
(2) Mop Spawning Killies
(3) Peat Spawning Killies
(4) North American Native Killies
(5) Rivulus
(6) A Revision of Fundulopanchax (classification spoof)
(7) South American Annuals
(8) Spawning Problem Killies

Plants
(1) Intro to Aquarium Plants
(2) Starting an AHAP Programme
(3) Sex with Scissors (plant reproduction methods)
(4) Beyond Sex with Scissors (maintenance, growth etc)
(5) Building an Aquarium Beautiful

Cichlids
(1) An Introduction to the World’s Cichlids
(2) Intro to Malawi Cichlids.
Malawi Cichlids specialty talks. Mbuna - Haplochromines - Peacocks & Allies - New Nomenclature
(3) Intro to Tanganyika Cichlids.
Tanganyika Cichlids specialty talks. Lamprologus - Tropheus - Sand Dwellers - Shell Dwellers and The Featherfins.
(4) Intro to Lake Victoria Cichlids
(5) West African Forgotten Gems
(6) Central American
(7) South American
(8) Apistogramma
(9) Earth Eaters

Catfish
(1) Intro to African Catfish
(2) Intro to South American Catfish
(3) Cories & Scleromastyx
(4) Oddball Catfish for the Aquarium
(5) Spawning Assorted Catfish
(6) Loricariidae

Livebearers
Intro to Livebearers. S
words Are Not All the Same.
Spawning Anableps anableps & Other Problem Livebearers
Halfbeaks (done for ALA Convention).
Goodieds and Poecilieds.

General Topics
Tank Busters
Building a Central System for Dummies Like Me
Live Foods & Collecting Wild Foods

Spawning Problem Fish
1 Cichlids
2 Catfish
3 Labyrinth
4 Oddballs
5 Livebearers
Modes of Reproduction in Fish/What the Judge Looks For/Small Fish for Small Places

After Dinner Topics
The Grim Reaper Awards (This is done only ONCE every 5 years per Geographical region)
Mr. Story Time ( This is done only ONCE every 10 years per Geographical region)
Latin Nomenclature Changes OR “How to Become a Legend In Your Own Mind”
Mama Told Me There'd Be Days Like This Keeping Fish Means Always Having to Say “I’m Sorry”.

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