African Cichlid Grotto
Shawn Richards is the owner of ACG. He breeds and sells these hardy, fresh water fish for hobbyists who enjoy the interesting behaviors of these colorful fish. They really have fun personalities and behaviors.
Denver Metro Review (DMR): Hi Shawn! Thanks for meeting with me. Let’s dive right into your business. How did you get interested in African cichlid fish?
Shawn: It is cool to have my new business profiled, so thank you. To answer your question, back in the mid 80’s, a friend worked in a local pet store and introduced me to African Cichlids. I have always been interested in these fish and liked their behaviors and how colorful they are. I have been raising them over the last 35 years. After seeing friends of mine thrive selling fish online, I thought it was something I could explore.
DMR: You sound like a cichlid expert. What do you mean about their behaviors?
Shawn: These fish can be pretty entertaining. They are super curious and visual, so they watch what is going on outside their tank. I have caught them watching tv. They know the difference between different people. For instance, they know I feed them and go crazy at mealtime. They don’t do this with anyone else. Some build elaborate nests in the sand at the bottom of the tank to attract a girlfriend fish. To vie for a female fishes attention, the males push each other around with their mouths. Shell dweller cichlids set up a nest for their eggs in shells. There is one species who like to nest in barnacles. I am pretty much a fish nerd and can go on and on about them. Plus, it is really peaceful to watch an aquarium full of beautiful fish just swimming around doing their thing.
DMR: Fish nerd, that is hilarious. So, Shawn, what do you like about this business?
Shawn: It is an extension of my hobby and it is a job doing something I enjoy. But mostly, it helps me afford my fish addiction. I have a lot of tanks…. Lol. I also like being part C.A.R.E.S. – a cichlid preservation program where cichlids that are extinct in the wild or close to being extinct are bred by folks like me to help ensure the survival of those species.
DMR: Wow, that is a cool way to give back to your hobby.
Shawn: Thanks.
DMR: How did Covid-19 affect your business?
Shawn: It actually helped me start my business. It gave me the time to finally set up my fish room.
DMR: That is great to hear how you made ‘lemonade’ out of the situation to do something you enjoy.
DMR: What are the top 3 reasons people should get AC’s?
Shawn:
- Variety in color. Next to saltwater fish, they are very colorful. There are thousands of species that come from 3 lakes in Africa.
- Hardiness. Cichlids are less fragile that tropical fish, less prone to disease and easier to keep and maintain.
- Behaviors. Cichlids have elaborate mating rituals. Some dig nests in the sand. Cichlids are mouth brooders – a behavior unique to cichlids where the female fish holds the babies in her mouth for safety until they get too big. She then lets the babies out. It is a trip to see how attentive the mom fish are to their babies’ survival.
DMR: Are these fish easy for starting hobbyists?
Shawn: Yes, it was one of the reasons I gravitated to them – I didn’t want anything complicated. They are easy to keep if you follow basic maintenance routines.
DMR: What is “basic maintenance” for African Cichlids?
Shawn: They are pretty easy to take care of and the biggies are simple. Do a weekly water changes and don’t over feed them.
Pro tip: put lots of hiding places in the tank to curb aggression. Sometimes you’ll get a fish that is kind of a jerk.
DMR: They do sound easy to keep. Shawn, thanks for meeting with DMR and we wish you good luck in building your fish business.
Shawn: Thanks! I hope to help people new to this hobby avoid many of the common pitfalls beginners may encounter.
People can buy African Cichlid fish from Shawn on his website at africancichlidgrotto.com (currently under construction!) or call him at 720-244-2358 for questions/concerns/advice on everything cichlid related.