July 25, 2025

226. Interview With Pat Hartman

1 hour 23 minutes

The Water Colors team is honored to have Pat Hartman join us for an interview in this week’s episode! Our Livebearer Month would not be complete without the contribution of Pat, who is one of the most accomplished aquarists we’ve had the pleasure to sit down with. Pat Hartman has been keeping fish for about 50 years. Although not a founding member, he has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan Aquarium Society (SWMAS) in

Kalamazoo, MI since early 1979, and is active with the Grand Valley Aquarium Club (GVAC) in Grand Rapids, MI. In the early 1980’s he developed a special interest in livebearing fishes and rapidly became involved with the American Livebearer Association (ALA) where he served in various capacities including Chairman. Pat has been involved in almost every aspect of the ALA, having won several major Show Awards at the ALA Conventions, participates in the Species Maintenance Program, serves as auctioneer, and has successfully bred over 180 species of livebearers in the

ALA Breeder’s Award Program. Pat was also instrumental in the formation of the ALA Vern Parish Fund (VPF) where he continues as Co-Chairman. He is Co-Chair of the ALA Graduate Student Poster Session (GPS).

Today he specializes almost exclusively in wild species of livebearers. Pat was honored by being named “Fellow of the ALA” in 2006. Pat is also active with the North American Goodeid Working Group (NAGWG) and finally made his first trip to Mexico in Nov 2014 for the 4th International Symposium on Viviparous Fishes, along with the GWG Meeting, visit to the Fish Ark, and Collecting Goodeids in the Wild. He made his second trip to Mexico in February 2017 as a part of the first ever NAGWG Goodeid Study Tour, and a third trip to Guadalajara as an invited Speaker at the GWG 2 nd International Convention. He became Chairman of the NAGWG in 2022.

Goodeid Working Group https://www.goodeidworkinggroup.com/

American Livebearer Association https://www.livebearers.org/

Vern Parish Fund https://www.livebearers.org/research/vern-parish-fund

Langhammer Fund for Conservation https://www.livebearers.org/research/langhammer-fund

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