By Tomás Mendes

Aquarium hobby began years ago in Portugal but the number of hobbyists and
hobby's quality just raised after a specific forum was set three years back.
Right now are more than 6000 affiliates at www.aquariofilia.net.

Guppies were always taken as those bread and butter fishes that anyone can
breed. However from four years to now this idea is being perceptibly changed
due a small group of guppy lovers. Stimulated by guppy pictures and based in
informations gotten from another countries were set some breeding rooms.

The Associação Portuguesa do Guppy (APGuppy) was founded and it lasted for a bit
more than two years. The small number of breeders interested to support this
project caused its failure.

This way we were faced to the main reasons which limits the development and
spreading of the guppy breeding hobby in Portugal: A few ones are
interested, to keep many aquarias frighten the newbies who get a bit more
discouraged when they realize that there is no worthy broodstock available.
All together making really difficult to push newcomers. This is my personal
overview on the reasons which caused APGuppy sinking.

After APGuppy passed away most breeders gave up guppies making much harder
revive the hobby in Portugal.

Personally I keep my interest on guppies and despite I did not yet began a
selective breeding program I want do it as soon as possible. I know that
will be difficult but I have faith!!! Importations are beyond my
possibilities due high costs involved nevertheless I'm keeping myself
informed about what is going on. My sources are the worldwide web and
e-mails changed with foreigner breeders.

I was invited to moderate the livebearers community at www.aquariofilia.net,
this way I am yet working for the diffusion of guppy breeding despite of
lacking true experience

A few time ago a new group was joined in order to start another association,
unfortunately it already looks the same like the passed one, anyway I really
hope it thrives.

Like you may conclude won't be easy promote the breeding of show guppies in
Portugal and I don't expect any short-term improvement. That's the real
world...

For now I only can promise that I shall do my best to change this scene in
such order that in a few years, preferably along with other local fanciers,
we succeed in international shows.

Entry of/at APGuppy Show.