Alan Mark Fletcher
Alan Mark Fletcher has been an aquarist for most of his 80 years, his family having an aquarium ever since he could remember growing up, and he has continued his passion for aquarium keeping to this day. His first aquarium of his own was a 10 gallon tank that he traded a book of Yankee autographs for, which today would probably buy an entire fishroom. Alan got his degree in biology from Juniata College in central Pennsylvania. Alan has been a teacher of science, and worked as a field biologist for the PA Fish Commission. While at this position, he came across a copy of "The Aquarium" magazine and saw an ad for an assistant to the editor. He soon found himself in William T. Innes office who gave Alan the job. From the period of 1952-1960 Alan ascended from Associate Editor to Publication Editor, Publisher and eventually Co-owner with a 50/50 partnership in "The Aquarium". Alan learned much from his mentor William T. Innes and learned many things that would shape the remainder of his life. He sold his share of the business in 1960, and at the time was the largest publication of aquarium fish in the world. Alan has also been a senior science editor with Doubleday and Co. publishers and has held numerous professorships at major universities among his many professional accomplishments. He made 15 collecting trips to South America and has also collected in various countries in West Africa.
Alan has written many article and papers on fish, and has also published several books, including: Unusual Aquarium Fishes, Fishes Dangerous to Man, Fisher that Travel, Fishes that Hide and others.
Alan has a strong interest in killifish and currently maintains Rivulus roloffi and Endler's livebearers along with some of Rosario LaCorte's Blue Gularis. Fly fishing is his passion and Alan continues to enjoy this activity.
He retired in 1991 and moved back to Ithaca, NY with his wife, Julia. They have 4 grown daughters and 10 grandchildren.
Alan feels that the 1950's was "The Golden Decade of the Aquarium Hobby" due to the many changes and innovations that came to the hobby during that exciting time. This will be the topic of Alan's presentation and he will be using vintage equipment props that he will be sharing with us during his presentation.
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