Dr. Paul Loiselle video tribute

For those of you who, like me, still think about Dr. Loiselle and his tremendous impact on the cichlid hobby, you might be interested in the video tribute to him presented by the New Jersey Aquarium Society (NJAS) in March (2026). It is well done!

The tribute not only includes some great stories, but you might also recognize a few people in it.

I did not know Paul well, but I had the pleasure and honor of spending nearly an hour with him at the 2024 Ohio Cichlid Association (OCA) Extravaganza. Sharing a sofa in the lobby of the hotel, he and I conversed about a variety of topics, from lamprologine species to how to establish a local fish club. I look back on that conversation with fondness knowing now that I won’t ever get to have another conversation with him. He was an amazing man and a true treasure to the cichlid community.

When he passed away, he was in the process of answering the following interview questions for the blog. How I wish he had been able to complete them, but more importantly I wish he was still with us.

• The fish keeping hobby has come a long way since you kept your first fish. What do you see as the most significant changes (positive or negative) with respect to cichlid keeping over the past 20 years?

• Among other fish, you are an expert on the Ptychochrominae subfamily of cichlids, which are mostly endemic Madagascar species? From a hobbyist perspective, what separates these cichlids from the more commonly kept African or New World species?

• Speaking of Madagascar cichlid species, you have played an integral role in their conservation. What are some of the greatest threats to them?

• You have written extensively about cichlids for more than 50 years. Publications like the Cichlid News and the Cichlid Bulletin (official journal of the American Cichlid Association) regularly solicit articles. What is some advice you would give to those who want to contribute articles to these publications but have never done so?

• Talk a little about your role as the technical advisor for the Cichlid Bulletin. What do your responsibilities entail?

• You are the chair of the Paul V. Loiselle Conservation Funda grant awarded each year by the American Cichlid Association. What should applicants especially focus on with their submissions?

• In the October 2024 issue of Cichlid Newsyou wrote a great article about the Amatitlania septemfasciata species group in Puerto Rico. The article speaks to the importance of captive breeding programs. How might hobbyists get involved in such programs?

• This past November at the 30th Ohio Cichlid Association Extravaganza, I had the pleasure of talking with you for nearly an hour. One of the topics of our conversation was what’s involved in starting an aquarium club. Can you provide a few pieces of advice for someone interested in setting up and maintaining such a club in their community?

• Thank you again for your willingness to do the interview. Anything we didn’t touch upon above that you would like to comment on or discuss?