 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
||
- The Gymnogeophagus of Uruguay
- Tales of the Fish Pornographer (Coming Soon!)
- The Aquarium Hobby Guide
- Collecting in Uruguay
- Collecting in The Republic of Suriname
- The Amazing Cichlids of Lake Tanganyika
- Cichlid Trivia Challenge
- The Cichlids of Lake Malawi
- Completely Cyphotilapia
- Confessions of a Cichlaholic
- Fishin' For the Answers
- Lake Malawi Speciation
- The Lure of El Prado ~ Collecting in Bolivia
The Gymnogeophagus of Uruguay
A closer look at the gorgeous genus of Gymnogeophagus from Uruguay. Like their Rift Lake cichlid counterparts the Gymnogeophagus species here almost all express a wide range of geographical variation and a fantastic kaleidoscope of colour varieties. This presentation will give a closer look at just the members of this genus from the country, many of which have never been imported for the hobby before.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tales of the Fish Pornographer (Coming Soon!)
A look at the life and times of a “fish pornographer”. From the seedy used 20 gallon tank beginnings to cocktails at the Shedd, delve deep into the never before talked about lifestyle of fish pornography.
The Aquarium Hobby Guide
A duet featuring Charley Grimes of Indianapolis, IN and Spencer Jack. This unlikely pair will delve through the aquarium hobby and attempt to explain our addiction and its peculiar habits. The presentation will also include our self-help guide.
Collecting in Uruguay
With water temperatures ranging seasonally from 8°C to 30°C+, the local fish fauna of Uruguay are one of the most unique collections in the world. This recent 2006 collecting trip focuses on the provinces Salto and Artigas in the far northwest corner of the country. Uruguay is host to a number of species of Crenicichla, tetras, Pimelodella, Loricariid types and some of the most beautiful and diverse Geophagine cichlid populations in the world, with nearly every water body showing a different geographical representation than the last.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Collecting in The Republic of Suriname
2005 trip to the Republic of Suriname, one of South America’s smallest countries in size but not in biodiversity. A host of white- and blackwater habitats featuring a great diversity of freshwater fishes, many species seldom seen within the aquarium hobby. Cichlids, characins and loricariids abound!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Amazing Cichlids of Lake Tanganyika
Enter the holy grail of all cichlid faunas. An introduction to the lake and its conditions with an emphasis on the major groups of cichlids within Lake Tanganyika. Explore some of the most striking and unique cichlids to be found on this planet.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cichlid Trivia Challenge
Interactive multiple-choice trivia challenge for your cichlid specialty group. This presentation features questions about cichlids from around the world. Guaranteed to have questions that will leave even the most seasoned cichlid expert scratching their head. Great way to learn about the diversity and power of cichlids
The Cichlids of Lake Malawi
An introduction to the world's most bio-diverse lake and the cichlids found within. This program features a quick run through of the major genuses within the cichlids of Malawi. Focus is on the characteristics of each genus and what to think about when you set up your next Malawi cichlid aquaria.
Completely Cyphotilapia
A detailed look at one of the most recognizable African cichlids, Cyphotilapia frontosa and Cyphotilapia gibberosa. The program will include looking into geographical variation of the genus Cyphotilapia, the husbandry, life cycle and tips towards breeding this great Tanganyikan cichlid within your home aquarium.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Confessions of a Cichlaholic
A lighthearted look into the realm of cichlid hobbyists and what makes them fanatical aquarium hobbyists. The presenter will not only attempt to confess his terrible addiction towards these fish, but also try to show many of the symptoms of the addiction. Topics such as adaptation, speciation, breeding strategies, behaviour of cichlids and cichlid keepers alike will be touched upon, among many others.
Fishin' For the Answers
An interactive trivia show designed for your whole organization to participate in. Fully illustrated multiple-choice questions on all facets of the aquarium hobby. This informative talk can be tailor made to suit the host organization's interests. A great way to wind up a year or hand out donations to members!
Lake Malawi Speciation
A closer look at Lake Malawi itself and its endemic species flock. The history and factors of the lake are explored to help explain why cichlids became the dominant local fauna. Special emphasis on the morphometry of Lake Malawi and its effects on speciation. A run-through of the vast array of feeding strategies located here with a look at a number of geographical variants and mate selection in some of the major rock fish.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Lure of El Prado ~ Collecting in Bolivia
A seventy minute tour of the province Beni in northeast Bolivia. This collecting trip, done in 2004, features over 130 species of fish and a great deal of the local flora and fauna. Experience a remote corner of South America and one of the world's most bio-diverse locations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
"Spence is a first-class speaker and should be invited to every major cichlid convention. He has an abundance of material, plenty of hands-on experience in the field as well as in fish breeding, has great photos, lots of new information, and a very entertaining way of presenting this all."Ad Konings
El Paso, TX
"We have had Spence visit us in Bermuda as a guest speaker three times and I can heartily recommend him to any club that hasn’t yet been entertained by him. A fish talk from Spence is certainly entertaining as he injects his Canadian sense of humour into his presentations. For his most recent visit, Spence doubled up as the judge and speaker for our annual fish show. The laughs started as soon as he walked into the venue wearing formal ‘bow-tie and tails’ - he jokingly said he figured he had to dress up as it was billed as the “Show Banquet”. Whilst light-hearted and entertaining, his presentations are also informative. Add to that his high quality photographs and you have a winning combination. Further, you don’t have to worry about a pretentious or demanding speaker when you invite Spence. He is very easy to please and spent one of his visits sleeping on my couch! He has become a friend of several of our members and will be a recurring speaker on our calendar."
Craig Morfitt, President
Bermuda Fry-Angle Aquarium Society
"Our club has had the pleasure of having Spencer speak on more than one occassion. His presentations are not only extremely interesting but also informative and amusing. The photography of the fish, fauna and flora on his trips is always excellent"
Kevin Kaschl, President
Saskatoon Aquarium Society
Saskatoon, SK
"A great speaker is one who is passionate about the subject matter, has in depth "hands-on" experience combined with a great sense of humor. Spencer Jack exemplifies these attributes and never failed to deliver a most enjoyable evening about fish!!"
Dick Au
San Francisco, CA
"It's easy to recommend you as a speaker for I have set in on several of your lectures over the years and the format, content and delivery are second to none. There is no doubt if it involves Cichlids you are the Man!"Rusty Wessel, famed Central American Cichlid collector
Louisville, KY
"I have been the speaker chairperson of the North Jersey Aquarium Society for over ten years, so I can easily tell if the audience is enjoying the program - there is no talking during the program (it's very quiet). This was the case when Spencer presented his program on his collecting trip to Uruguay.
Although NJAS is an all-species club, a large majority of our members are Cichlid keepers. His program was informative, and kept both beginners and experienced hobbyists enthralled. His pictures were amazing, and he was very entertaining throughout the evening.
His program and persona exceeded some national speakers I have heard, and he will be first on my list of speakers the next time we hold a weekend extravaganza!"
Christine Policastro, Speaker Chairperson
North Jersey Aquarium Society
Lyndhurst, NJ