Before I began in the pet industry, I went to school for music (my first pet store experience was a part time job while I was in college). Every now and then, I have an overwhelming desire to re-immerse myself in that part of my life and will stop listening to contemporary music and go back to the great classics. Not too long ago, I decided that I would go through and try to listen to the Beethoven Symphonies, many of which I have never sat down and listened all the way through.

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This entry was posted on July 21, 2014 at 3:28 PM and has received 6700 views. There are currently 3 comments. Print this entry.

As our access to a world-wide pool of knowledge and information grows, so does our awareness of the global implications of our choices and actions. This has led to an ever increasing focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness. Increasingly, we are needing to examine our impact as consumers as well as our impact as an industry. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer or solution to the problem of being sustainable, but let's take a look at where the ornamental fish industry currently stands, and where it appears to be headed.

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This entry was posted on July 14, 2014 at 3:04 PM and has received 5328 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

When it comes to choosing which animal is right for you, the best thing one can do is to do research ahead of time in order to become knowledgeable and prepared. Often, you will have a general idea of what kind of animal you want, but it is important to keep in mind that what you think you want may not actually be what is best for you. For example, I personally would love a pair of Dwarf Caiman, but I accept that there is no way that I could currently care for these animals and that it would be unfair for me to even try. It is imperative to ask questions of yourself and examine what qualities you are looking for and what potential issues you should stay away from. There are many facets to consider when researching your next pet, but these are some of what we believe are the most important.

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This entry was posted on July 7, 2014 at 11:33 AM and has received 6483 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Perhaps one of the most charismatic and appealing groups of reptiles are the true chameleons. With their renowned ability to change color, eyes that move independently of each other, and long tongue used to catch prey, there are few that cannot become intrigued or even charmed by these unique lizards. While there are several species that are widely available and routinely bred, chameleons are generally more challenging to care for than many other reptiles. However, for those looking to keep chameleons, there is no better species to start with than the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus).

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This entry was posted on June 30, 2014 at 10:07 AM and has received 5288 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

There are many reasons why people choose to keep aquariums, but for many, the beauty and grace of a fish gliding through the water is an integral pleasure in the hobby. With its ornately flowing fins and delicate appearance, this is perhaps no better example of this than the lionfish of the subfamily Pteroinae. However, despite their appearance, these species are far from being the fragile creatures they might seem on first glance.

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This entry was posted on June 23, 2014 at 5:30 PM and has received 4906 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

One of the topics that is constantly debated among freshwater aquarists is what role, if any, should salt play in successful aquariums. For every person who adamantly declares that every aquarium should routinely have salt added there is another person who argues that you should never add salt to a freshwater aquarium. A third group of people state that salt should only be used as treatment for specific problems while a fourth group throws up their hands in despair not knowing what to think anymore. At Segrest Farms, this is our philosophy on the subject, and please note that some of this will be perhaps over simplified to not scare away those who are chemistry averse.

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This entry was posted on June 16, 2014 at 6:52 PM and has received 11941 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

Aquariums can make fantastic additions to our lives. They can be fascinating and beautiful, and with care and planning can exemplify the intersection of art and life. Setting up a first aquarium is a time filled with excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, a number of people will fall victim to poor planning or bad advice, have a terrible experience, and give up on the world of fish keeping forever. If you are just starting your first tank, or are trying to help guide someone else with their first tank, here are some common mistakes that can result in frustration or even complete failure.

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This entry was posted on June 9, 2014 at 8:50 AM and has received 10439 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

Welcome to the Segrest Farms Blog. At Segrest Farms, we are the largest wholesale supplier of ornamental fish in the United States. We supply retailers as well as public zoos and aquariums with freshwater fish, marine fish, coral, live rock, aquatic plants, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. With this blog, our goal is to share our collective experience in order to be a resource for enthusiasts at all levels. On this blog, you will be able to find articles ranging from beginner topics such as setting up your first tank and avoiding beginner mistakes to profiles of both common and oddball species to issues facing both the industry and natural ecosystems to behind the scenes glimpses of Segrest Farms.

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This entry was posted on June 1, 2014 at 9:11 PM and has received 3733 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

Venturing into the world of aquariums offers the opportunity to experience a small slice of the world that most will never get to see otherwise. From the rivers of South America, to the lakes of Africa, to the reefs of Australia, there are complex and fascinating ecosystems that we can bring into our homes. While I expect most of our readers are well-versed in at least some aspect of fish keeping, we all began somewhere, so we will try to share some of our experience to help newcomers as they enter this exciting hobby.

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This entry was posted on June 1, 2014 at 11:15 AM and has received 8824 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.