Advanced Aquarists Journal

his is one of the legendary society based tropical fish magazines in the US hobby: "Advanced Aquarists Magazine" published by the Advanced Aquarists of Atlanta between 1969 and 1974 or so. AAA was a unique society harking back to the elitist aquarium societies of the early 20th century in the US and Germany. It openly rejected beginners. To join, one had to pass an oral knowledge test given in person by the entire membership. Donations to the monthly auction were required or one paid a nominal fine. Meetings were geared to discussions and debates. Needless to say it ruffled some feathers. Bob Goldstein edited this extraordinary magazine. Only the San Francisco Aquarium Society's magazine "The Aquarium Journal" (1947-1965) surpassed it in quality. The members were largely cichlid and killifish hobbyists so in-depth material on these fishes is found throughout the issues.

It was the era of the birth of the Rift Lake African Cichlid craze (late 60's - early 70's) so that aspect of the hobby is widely covered throughout the issues. Advanced Aquarists of Atlanta is largely forgotten today as it only lasted 6 or 7 years but as a kid I grew up on reading the incredible information their still relevant magazine provided.