Ancient Hobby History: How Florida Exotic Fish Sales’ Rick Biro Brought Cichlids to the U.S.
African cichlids have been farmed in Florida for decades. But how did these popular, colorful fish find their way into Florida’s industry? My guest today is Rick Biro, well-known cichlid producer and head of Florida Exotic Fish Sales. Join us, as Rick describes his journeys from Florida to Malawi and back in his early quest to make these fascinating, colorful fishes a staple in the aquarium hobby.
BIO:
Born in Miami, FL in 1949, Rick attended schools in Coral Gable, FL. At the age of 11, Rick set up his first fish tank (essentially a community tank) and loved it. He attended Florida State University, graduating in 1973. To help pay for tuition, Rick collected reptiles and amphibians for a local buyer. While at FSU, Rick amassed 10 fish tanks containing a variety of species. He began to keep the few African cichlids available at the time, including auratus, polystigma, and several others. When his brother moved to Tallahassee during Rick’s third year in college, the cichlid bug really bit. Their first supplier contact, Peter Davies in Malawi, provided fish for Rick and his brother’s new company, Talli-M-Ports. They later traveled to Africa, developing additional contacts, including Eric Fleet and Stuart Grant, in order to gain access to other areas of the Lake and bring in novel species from “new” areas including Likoma Island and Mbenge. Many of these fish had no “common names” and so were given “unofficial” names that have since stuck (including Kenyi, VC-10, and avante). They later met with the Brichards who helped them get fish from Lake Tanganyika. They introduced Maswa duboisi to the U.S.
In 1974, Rick moved to Miami and after his brother left the business, and renamed it “Florida Exotic Fish Sales.” In addition to importation, Rick began to breed and raise fish in Homestead’s coral bedrock ponds as well as in raised concrete vaults. Today Rick and his wife Tamela oversee large breeding operation of Malawi and Tanganyikan fish shipping all over the US. and internationally. Because of the lack of a good “cichlid diet" many years ago, Rick “tinkered” over the years and developed a diet which he uses for breeding and growout. The popularity of his fishes' colors and vibrancy have resulted in strong interest in his fish food, which became a popular over-the-counter brand, Xtreme Aquatic Foods.