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How long have you been keeping fish. Explain how you got started etc.

I started keeping fish back when tanks where held together with putty & hope, My school buddy had a tank & was a member of the old Perth club, I joined after I got a tank from my Granddad that he made.

I then met the late Peter Symington who helped my knowledge of fishkeeping.

I had fish about 39 years ago but had to pack them in for the 19 year period that I was in the army.

What types of fish/tanks do you have & numbers of tanks.

Up until 2 years ago I had approx 40 tanks of different sizes from 6 foot x 2 foot x 2 foot to 18”x18”x18”.

Keeping fish from Livebearers, Cichlids, Killie fish & Barbs.

At present I am limited to 2 tanks both used to breed fish for my certificate. At present I my target specie is Rasbora Henglii.

Along with my son Stewart I have bred some 180 species. My first which is unusual as normally it is a livebearer was the Hellostoma Temimnki the kissing Gourami, not that I knew anything about it until I noticed thousands of whitish dots at the front of the tank.

As with all other aquarists it's not the breeding it's the getting rid of pink kissers, the interest disappears after the first 500 young. With help from local shops & friends I managed to make tank space for breeding other species. I then started my 19 year break in the army.

I started breeding for the second time around about 15 years ago.

My showing of fish started when I joined Fair City Aquarist Society & K.A.S back in 1991. The next three years was only occasional fish then my son Stewart & I got our act together. We showed throughout Scotland & North England winning approx 100 firsts, 64 Trophies, first bred awards & on.

My goal at the moment is to complete the supreme breeders certificate at K.A.S, 13 species down 5 to go & it's not getting any easier.

Other interests outside fishkeeping. If its is another club etc, give details so we cane advertise them.

I am a member of the Tayside Amateur “Burp” wine makers.

I enjoy making & painting chess Sets & Boards, both Linda, my wife & I go to Ceramic classes.

Linda & I also are very involved with Headway. This is a very worthwhile cause dedicated to people with head injuries. Again this is a very social bunch of people & yes I am also on that committee.

Do you have any person or several persons that you admire/respect. This can be in the hobby or family or others. give reasons why etc.

The late Robert Paterson. Robert Helped me so much with fish problems & breeding in particular. It didn't matter what time it was, I have even phoned him at midnight when I discovered egg & it was never a problem.

Over the last 6 years I have enjoyed judging rather than the showing & this is definitely down to Mike & Jill Dewar who are always there to give assistance when required & never make you feel guilty for asking. They will also let you know if anything is going wrong, which I appreciate.

I have to admire Craig Dempsey for standing as president when Jimmy Gilbert passed away and he is doing a great job.

What is your future outlook within the hobby. What are yours goals within the hobby

I would like to continue as I am going & hopefully finish my certificate in the next 2 years or so.

My goal would be to continue judging and hopefully become a senior judge in years to come.

October 2007, I have reached my goal - I have successfully completed 10 years judging & sat my Senior Judge exam.

"I have now been promoted to a Senior Judge for the U.S.A"

How long have you served on the K.A.S committee & what posts have you held in the past up to the present.

I have served on this committee for the past 10 years firstly as the canteen manager, then Table show manager & Librarian, you also find yourself helping out other posts when needed, last but not least as Open show manager up to the present day.

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