Dan Sharifi's Cichlids of the Americas Global Premier behind the scenes tour of his amazing facility
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- čas přidán 6. 05. 2020
- Today is the video so many have been waiting for...a full behind the scenes tour of the one and only Cichlids of the Americas facility.
This awe inspiring collection of some of the absolute best New World Cichlids is owed by Dan and Martha Sharifi, both legendary and passionate aquarists.
They have travelled extensively all over Central America collecting the best Cichlids that the world has to offer and brought them back to breed for the trade.
We have a candid discussion with Dan as he tells us all about how COTA came to be, collecting adventures and species spotlights.
So join me today as we go into the world of one of the best New World Cichlid collections in the world.
Enjoy!
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What a great
reportage you put together Chris! I have very much enjoyed it. Dan's place is fantastic, the order and cleanliness is excellent. I cant believe that just three people do all that work. The fish are wonderful and in top shape. Thanks for bringing this wondenful insignt into Dan's operation
I honoured my friend. It a challenging place to film and take pictures of the exceptional fish with all the light and glare. I always strive to best showcase whatever the subject is too it’s best potential. He has an entire new row of those big 300 gallon acrylics going in now to replace the pool and tubs etc... I can’t wait to go back again hopefully this fall early winter. Can always do better.
Thank you kindly for watching Juan.
I do very much still want to do videos with you as well but I have to sort my rural internet connection before I can start zoom interviews. You are however at the top of the list.
Take care
@@themadaquarist Excellent video! Incredible fish and facility. I would like to, in the not too distant future, raise up a bunch of the same species he keeps...do you know, per chance, just approximately, how much an acrylic tank, 6' x 4' x 2' costs him?
Bigging to end, loved every minute. Most of my fish originate fron COTA, but never seen Dan's setup, well impressed. Thanks for sharing this with us. Happy fish keeping to you sir.
Thank you very much Andy. Is a magical place
That place is a literal wet dream.
I couldn’t agree more
Love what he's doing. The Viejas were amazing and the festae (spelling?) was stunning. Thanks for this walk through.
Thank you kindly
I could watch this video over and over again! To actually see behind the scenes the amount of hard work and dedication Dan gives to the hobby is amazing. Great job👍🏾 Chris!!
Thank you very much Enrik. Very much appreciated
Only a few minutes into the video and all I can say is WOW. 😮👍. Now back to the video......
Thanks dude!
I have purchased from CoA and they supply only the highest quality fish. They are the go to spot for American cichlids. This video, after a second viewing, is still the most in depth tour of a fish breeding facility I have seen. Fantastic!
Thank you kindly. I cannot wait to get back and shoot some more
This is the stuff that dreams are made of! Just awesome. Thanks for sharing this Biggs and thanks for letting him in Dan and Martha!
Very true. Thank you kindly for watching
Amazing job Dan's doing! That operation is something else, Respect 🙌 🐟👍
Thanks for watching. Dan and Martha are exceptional people through and through
What a phenomenal segment - THANK YOU! So many incredible examples. Love the haitiensis!
Thank you kindly Howard. Soon as allowed I’m heading back for more in depth videos
*I LITERALLY have gone to heaven. Its been on my bucket list forever, to one day see what his facility looks like. Both the set up and the fish are amazing. I finally have insight. Thank you for the best tour in my CZcams viewing history. Shout out to Andy Woods for directing us here.*
Thank you kindly my friend. Please help me in sharing the video out in whatever media you use. Dan’s place needs to be seen worldwide.
This is an amazing facility and an amazing collection of cichlids. Unbelievable documentary, very insightful. Thank you for it.
Thank you kindly for watching. This was the first time visiting. I was just back there last fall. Did you see the updated video?
@themadaquarist
Absolutely, I did. You, my friend, you made some excellent videos, and I love the way you narrate them. Truly professional.
Oh my god. Truly breathtaking collection of American cichlids.
Dan’s the Man! His fish are amazing
Amazing facility! Talk about goals!!
Dream big!
Thanks for the video Chris, Dan seems really down to earth and generous about sharing!
Both him and his wife Martha are truly wonderful people. I’m very fortunate to call them my friends.
Soon as I’m able to travel south again it is one of my first stops. We have several other videos planned.
Thank you kindly for watching.
Amazing video .. love it
A wet dream for sure! Those red veija Chacamax are stunning fish! Thanks for sharing.
They are massive!
WOW absolute heaven Thank you
It truly is paradise on earth for Aquarists
Thanks for putting together this documentary of a great naturalist. Some may object to a collector being considered a “naturalist;” however, listening proves otherwise. As with many skilled tradesmen he has a breadth of knowledge and wisdom not found in books.This can easily lost with an individual. Thanks for documenting a segment of it for us and posterity.
Jim
Jim,
Dan and his lovely wife Martha have become dear friends and I very hope to spend many more adventures with them.
Thank you kindly for watching my friend
Chris ‘ The Mad Aquarist ‘ Biggs , Thank them and let them know there efforts are appreciated. Jim
I recently bought a bunch of amphilophus off of Dan they are amazing fish they're small but I can't wait till they grow. Your family Dan does a great job with the fish
They sure do!
Which species did you receive?
Thanks for watching.
Good job keeping my attention for longer than 5minutes
Very colourful
Great video. More facilities like this are needed especially in North America.
This place is so magical and it’s in Florida....coincidence?
That is fantastic quality cichlids... wow.
Thanks so much for sharing the visit!!
We plan to do many more videos with Dan down the road once the world allows such a visit to happen
Love it. Keep the good stuff coming for sure.
My goodness 😍. Thanks for all the b roll while you guys talked.
I had hours and hours of footage it’s an absolute paradise
@@themadaquarist I catch tons and tons of cichlids here in Puerto Rico. A great deal of them are hybrids
Beautiful fish...amazing fish room
It’s heaven on earth for new world enthusiasts
Brilliant!!
Thank you kindly
Super reportage 👍
Magic place🤩
Beautiful colors and exemplary fish structure👍
Kennel class 1 !!!
Thank you very much Piotr
These are my favorite videos!
Thank you kindly.
Please share it out there
Best video ever made - those bifas are insane - thanks for putting this together
That’s a bit of a stretch but I do very much appreciate the compliments my friend. His faculty and stock make it look exceptional
What a cool place
I really can’t wait to go back and visit again. It’s an aquatic paradise
Worth the wait. Nice vid
Thanks Rance. 13 hours of editing
Just got my first purchase of fish from Dan @ Cichlids of the Americas. I am very excited!
Outstanding! What ya get? So many awesome fish to choose from
Amphilophus Hogamaboorum, Amphilophus Amarillo, and some Herichthys deppii. Waiting on order #2 for next week! I am over the moon excited
@@MrBlknlowbtr some outstanding species there! Congratulations
Amazing video and an amazing collection, I would love to see this place in person! He is truly living the dream for fans of central American cichlids!
It’s like Disneyland but with fish
I don't enjoy cichlids personally but after watching this I see why everyone is such a fan. Big showy fish with cool personalities I can dig that! I enjoy seeing a facility with deep tanks.
From an evolutionary standpoint cichlids are one of the most diverse and fascinating assemblage of fishes. their unique and extreme adaptability makes them fascinating candidates for study. Once on cichlids you're hooked for life!
Incredible facilities
Very. Thanks for watching
I’m glad I waited until I had the time to properly watch this video. Just incredible.
Thanks Darryl
Great video. Keep them coming please.
Thank you kindly Tristan
Awesome video. So many cool fish !
Thanks Bruno
The best fishtour on this platform. Showing the fish. Thx. Love this channel.
Thank you 🙏 kindly for watching and very much for your kind words my friend
That place was amazing 👍
It truly is a wonderland
I'm back here after yesterday's live. Good work Biggs as usual
Thanks so much Charles. Should be showing off some behind the scenes gens in the members section from those trips shortly
Thanks Chris for putting up this vid!!! Love those cribriheros!!!
So many amazing fish! The place is paradise for centrals
@@themadaquarist Savored every bit of the vid, shared it also with my fellow cichlid enthusiasts in the Philippines 🇵🇭 We'd love to get our hands on those species!!!
Good golly! I was blown away when we went last year, but I’m even more blown away now. Well done bud! You’re getting REALLY good at this CZcams thing.
You were an very integral and still very much a large part of making it all happen my friend. I look forward to many more adventures
Great looking fish and facility :)
Zenin Skomorowski it truly is
Nice video ❤️😃
Thank you kindly
Awesome stuff!!!
Thank you
What an incredibly amazing video. That could have went on for hours and I would have completely satisfied. I hated that it had to end. It's amazing to see what goes into the collecting of these species for us the hobbyists to enjoy. What an amazing place. Way too many fish I loved. I'll go out on a limb and say the "golden" Jag was my favorite fish. Of course there were others, but im still trying to digest what I just watched. Thanks for sharing. 🙏🏿👏🏿👌🏿
Very very kind my friend. Thank you for watching
Awesome! Love the set up! This is what I imagine heaven to be like.
I couldn’t agree more
HOLY SCHNIKES!!
It’s an insanely cool place
Daaaaaamn!
I said that at every turn in that building
Love the picture over your right shoulder
That would be from the incredible artist Nick Laferriere. The piece is entitled Mexican Stand-off.
awwww amazing collection my friend:)
Thank you! Cheers!
Held off watching this video as Central American cichlids are by far my biggest interest. Awesome facility, awesome fish! Awesome video you made for us to enjoy brother! Thank you! Now to stop myself from ordering everything on Dans list....
Thanks always brother
Thanks for this tour, been wanting to order from COTA for sometime and now i am very convinced
You won’t be disappointed my friend.
Thank you for watching
Best fish room I have ever seen in my 23years of living I’ve been in the hobby since I was 7 working at a local aquarium hopefully one day I will own something like this 💙
I agree and I cannot wait to be able to go back again
This video was awesome, very informative Thx
Thank you very much
I had to come back and watch this. Would love to meet Dan! The shots of the fish are really good too.
He was a speaker at ACA you just have to start by stepping outside of the house
Great channel
Very kind thank you
Your full of info love it 🙂
Very kind of you, thank you
I’ve gotten so many fish over the years from Dan and was sad to hear he’s no longer selling.
Great video. I had no idea how big of an operation COTA is.
And it keeps getting bigger! Whole new row of those 300 gallon acrylics have landed so I’m really excited about the next trip down soon as life resumes
Brilliant video, found it so interesting to see where my fish have come from. Especially cos I'm in the uk
Thank you for the kind words Steven. Dan and Martha are truly the global standard of excellence for Meso-American Cichlids
Luv n it. Been there and is awesome stuff.
👍🏻
A place where dreams comes true
I've seen this video like 10 times, hopefully I can order some fish soon. Awesome 👌 video.
Very kind, thank you 🙏. I cannot wait for when I go back again and shoot an update
Yea I didn't even make it thru a quarter of the video WOW 🔥🔥🔥stunning collection 👍
Watch till the end! So much amazing stuff there. Three full days of video edited down to 30+ minutes was a huge challenge
@@themadaquarist My answer to you question at the end of the video is, all of them are my favorites, he has the fish everyone into south and Central American wants, but like he said space is at a premium with those larger cichlids just to do red Devils I devote 7 large tanks and still dont have enough room, truly a sight to behold, thanks for sharing.👍
Awesome collection, I bought many fish from COA, and may have to order more...thanks for sharing.
Just some of everything
Thanks Chris. I just discovered you after Andy Woods recommended this video in one of his and I immediately dropped everything to settle down to this. I have a beautiful pair of Citrinellus from COTA and wish I had space for another 10 species at least. Maybe one day. You lucky fellow for getting to visit for real. I feel like I just saw a tour of Santa's own workshlp. Legendary.
Thanks again.
I’m honoured my friend. Thank you kindly for joining me.
If Covid wasn’t a thing their already would be other videos with them.
Soon as safe to travel again Dan and Marta’s is the first place I’m going. We already have a few videos planned out.
Have you seen the other two videos I did with Dan ?
I'm glad I found your channel.
I saw the one where you interviewed Dan on collection trip stories and stuff... I'll find the other one now. All fascinating stuff.
Cheers Chris.
I was just about to share a link for the other video but I see you’ve found it already lol
Wow!! Your fish room is amazing, I have never seen nothing like it, I have seen a lot of fish room, nothing like yours, and your fish, are amazing such a wide variety and you can see they are very healthy and just gorgeous :)
Dan and Martha have built up their facility after many years of collecting and observing the fishes in their natural habitat.
And yes I agree it is second to no other
Very nice!
I have 4 species currently from there and all 4 were shown! Loved seeing the adult versions of mine!!!
That was exactly the purpose behind showcasing such an amazing collection! Thank you very much for watching Kevin. I’m very pleased you got to see them and enjoyed the video
@@themadaquarist I have the nourissati, micropthalmus, regani, and bifasciatus from there!
I also have the calobrensis, although they came from Chris!
Awesome video sir!
You're definitely on a level by yourself when it comes to quality cichlid content ❤
@@kams_dad4511 THANKS AGAIN kevin
Hi from Algeria, how magical place stunning very very attractive ❤️ thank you for sharing 😊😊
Thank you kindly for watching
My favorites are the Asfraci and gomani.... of course these are the species I’m looking for
Both solid choices!
This was incredible Chris!! I thoroughly enjoyed this tour WOW!! Okay I'm starting to get hooked on cichlids again. The first fish I ever kept were Mbunas 20 years ago. I have also had angels and discus, but that seems like a lifetime ago. That was also before I knew how to use a computer or even heard of something like CZcams. I have a lot to learn about South American and Central American cichlids, so I'm going to be going through your videos 😁 Maybe someday if you're not too busy (haha) On a Saturday you could pop in to see Chris and I on Multi-Tank Addiction. It would be thrilling to get to hang out with you 🤸 I hope you're having a wonderful day! 🙏🤗🌿🐟🌿
Thank you kindly Mary for always supporting. I would be honoured. Saturday’s around the farm especially in spring are always crazy but if I can I will gladly
@@themadaquaristI know how busy you are, but if you ever do have the time it would definitely be an honor. If you ever need to contact me, I don't know if you use Facebook Messenger, I'm under Paige Flynn!!
I miss my farm and I sure would love to be there to help on yours f😁 Have a great day Chris🙏💚👍🤗
Dan has amazing fish just ordered from him
I’ll be back in January so expect some incredible things to come
Canada woooooooooo
Lok
Hi. My favorites would have to be the Vieja, but I can't decide which ones, so I guess I will have to pick them all.
I’m on your team!
Great video and when I see those Parachromis Managuensis against my captive bred one wow there is a vast difference
Their breeding stock is exceptional
@@themadaquarist we have a guy over here that has had a couple of orders over here in England and he is putting one in at the moment so I have ordered a couple of Trimac so can not wait
Whole shipment of sweetness!
OMG. I just died and went to heaven. How Silver where those Beani?? WOW. SO many mindblowing fish. That could be one of my favourite youtube clips ever. Thanks heaps man!!
I was fully willing to sleep
On the floor In the fish house!
It truly is a fish paradise.
Thanks for watching
@@themadaquarist subscribed.
The honour is mine my friend
Chuco multi 🔥
Perhaps you mean micropthalmus?
Thank you, super informative and inspiring! How many Vieja all the same type do you recommend for my 90 gallon? I was thinking of Bifasciatus or Fenestrata. Any input would be appriciated. Great channel
Bifasciatus albeit slower growing gets to a massive size where even a pair in the 90 may be too much. Fennestratus depending on locale can be very aggressive.
Several
Of the melanurus types stay around a foot.
Although not a Vieja but still similar in diet etc... Oscars heterospilus another good option.
IMHO for a 90 If it were me I would be looking at a good of a Thorichthys species and possibly a small group of a cryptoheros or Amatitlania.
I am truly honoured. Thank you kindly for the nice words my friend. Soon as the world returns to its regular program I shall be heading back to COTA. We have several ideas ready to go
Great video, did you ever do a food video... you mentioned it in this video
Yes sir,
czcams.com/video/LsE7JRwmTto/video.html
Thank you for watching
Hey Chris just an update. I just received my shipment of fish from Dan. Tomocichla Tuba "Rio Burro , Amphilophus Trimac, Chuco Godmanni , and some Caquetaia Krausii. And would you believe I also have a new batch of Veija Fenestra fry and Astaheros Macaranthus that hatched this past weekend. Will keep you updated!
Absolutely outstanding group of fish! Well done my friend
Chris, great video. Do you think NLS algee max is a good staple pellet for my vieja. Thanks
Just check the protein contain and where it’s derived from. It’s definitely a good starting point. A good quality koi food will also go a long way for such species
I see Dan has been holding off on selling some beauties. I might have to try to 💰bribe him into selling one of those amazing big festae.
Most wont realize the sheer cost involved in acquiring his wild breeding stock. The amount of trips and research into finding some of these specimens is extremely costly and sometimes to come back with nothing. Which happens far more often than one would expect. Collecting in most of these countries today is challenging at best.
I know of at least one species in his facility that he has over $30K invested in already with only about 18 live specimens that brings the cost per animal to around $1800. Zero hobbyists would pay anywhere near those prices. And that’s his break even cost.
As almost all his stock is wild caught be himself and his collectors I’m sure you better appreciate the costs in amassing such a collection. I for one am extremely happy to have people like him taking the lead in doing this and bringing some of these amazing fishes back into the hobby.
I’m #500 thumbs up! Now have dan send me some complimentory vieja hartwegis!!😃 just kidding I will gladly buy them thanks for this great tour. Also subscribed today 8-23-20!
Thank you for watching. His stock quality is top notch
WOW, WHAT AN AMAZING SETUP. DEFINITELY SAVING UP MONEY FOR AN ORDER. 🐠😂🐠
I really cannot wait to get back there
@@themadaquarist I COULD SEE WHY!🐠🐠🐠
AMAZING!!.. Chris is it possible to keep single festae cichlid in community tank with other american cichlids? Heard alot of mix reviews about them in community tanks
A rogue tank of all males has worked for many similar to doing an all male Malawi peacock aquarium. However once a single female of almost any species is introduced wether intentional or by accident all hell will more than likely break loose.
Most Meso American cichlids have strong mandibular muscles and dentition which can definitely cause some damage
Love the veija bifasciatus chacamax got to get some
They are like a light bulb in his tanks the yellow is so bright
Thank you for sharing Chris. Any luck with them catching the Green Umbee?
Yes they did. I shall be back in January to do more shooting. so very much looking forward seeing how different everything is
@@themadaquarist That is incredible news! Thank you!
Veija bifasciatus 'chacamax' was one of my favourite. One question, does the Palm tree cast offs bring the ph down quick coursing constant adjustments,only ask cos I've been thinking about doing in my tanks.Great vid by the way 👍🇦🇺
Dan says no real change to the chemistry however his tanks are all 300 gallons plus and water change system is turned on daily so chemistry is maintained. Florida aquifer water is all filtered through bare rock that is coralline so very alkaline and stable.
Thank you kindly for watching
The bifas are crazy
they were/are BEASTS!!!!! I cannot wait to go back and see everything again. Dan bugs me constantly asking when i'm coming
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you kindly
Your welcome sir, greets from Belgium
Tuyệt vời
Thank you
What are those @11.20?....The colours are stunning!
Vieja melanurus
@@themadaquarist Cheers mate, appreciated!
want one of those Pearsei
So many exceptional fish there how did you narrow it down?
Did you make the video regarding Dan's feeding? If so can u point me in the right direction?
We did my apologies in advance for the setting as we did it rather quick but the discussion and information is sound.
czcams.com/video/LsE7JRwmTto/video.html
Was hoping to see Nicaraguaenses
I believe he has them now as he took over all of Max Cichlids stock.
Sadly I have not been able to travel there for two years now. Soon as I can expect some new updates
30 minutes, what is red headed fish with festae and who is 30:40?
Impressive fish, I think Chacamax is the most impressive...
They maintain all species as species only colonies. The fish at 30:40 is Nosferatu/Herichthys steindacneri.
Sadly his large most impressive bifas Chacamax has passed on but he’s growing up a new group
Would have loved to see some chancho and more red devils, midas. Amphilopus lovers
I will be heading back once regular travel can resume safely. I plan to do several spotlights on genera or maybe even species.
I like the black umbri. Do they sell to hobbyists?do the ship to Canada?
Yes they do sell to hobbyists and yes they ship worldwide.
You can check out his list here:www.cichlidsoftheamericas.com/id2.html
Amazing video
Very kind thank you