The hobbyist interested in Fancy Swordtails & Platies today have a huge advantage over what I had when I became interested in Fancy Xiphophorus years ago.
Today all you have to do is go online or Google to get photographs, information and contacts. Also, as mentioned there are a lot more people interested in these fish than there was during the 1980's and 1990's.
In case anyone didn't know, the reason I started crossing and developing strains was because I couldn't find the strains that I wanted.
There are plenty of good and honest breeders who sell on Aquabid, I used to sell on there when I was breeding and had few problems selling or buying.
If you can afford it and are serious about the Livebearer hobby, it would benefit you to join the ALA. It's not just for the Trader.


Darrell E. Mefford

I think I will take your advise and join to see what it has to offer.

I joined the organization. Now I'm trying to figure out how this Trader pub works. Is this something that is mailed out, or found online? I can only find a version online that is a year old. I guess I have the same question on the 6 annual issues of the publication.

Welcome to the club! For now both are mailed. Eventually we'll have both online.

I have uploaded every TRADER or LIVEBEARERS issue sent to me to date for inclusion on the website. What you see is what I got.

If there are more to upload, and the board has approved doing so, I will add them as soon as I get the pdf's sent to me.

I am not sure if all the LIVEBEARERS will ever make it to the website. The last time I spoke to a board member about it, there wasn't a big push for it since back issues of LIVEBEARERS are sold by the club.

It is a very simple matter to add the issues to the website. I just need the pdf's and go ahead from the board.

Melody is also correct in that they are both mailed out. The online versions are just sort of an additional benefit.

Peace,
~Troy

I'm not sure of the reasoning, but it would seem to me that a ton of postage and printing costs would saved with online vs mailed issues, not to mention speed of receiving the info. I know the IFGA has gone this route.

Thanks for your input Steve. I think is is a little unlikely you will see the printed and mailed LIVEBEARERS or TRADER go away in favor of an electronic version an time soon.

You should try to run an ad in the TRADER, it is free to ALA members or post an ad in the Classifieds on this site, also available to ALA members. The classifieds are here:

http://livebearers.org/modules/classifieds/

Thanks for becoming an ALA member.

I do run a commercial business (Angels Plus). Do the rules allow for a classified or Trader listing from a business?

Thanks,

Hi Steve,

As far as I know it's fine. You are a paying ALA member and I see no rule excluding you from listing in the classifieds just because you run a fish business.

Personally, I think it would be nice to see some ads in there, commercial or not.

I will double check but I'd go ahead and list some stuff.

You can also list your business in our Web Links here:
http://livebearers.org/modules/mylinks/

Well, I think you can add your own weblinks as an ALA member (they may need admin approval so if it doesn't show immediately wait a bit). If it will not allow you, PM me the details and I'll add it, there are other businesses in there too.

Hope that helps.

Steve,

I didn't know you were the owner of Angels Plus!
I used to sometimes order food, brine shrimp eggs and bags from your company when I was breeding Fancy Xiphophorus.

Darrell