Heiko Bleher

Albert J. Kleee in 2020 wrote:
Heiko Bleher (born October 18, 1944) is a German researcher, author, photographer and filmmaker best known in the scientific community for his contribution to the exploration of fresh and brackish water habitats worldwide and the discovery of many species of freshwater fishes and aquatic plants. He inherited this passion from his mother, Amanda Flora Hilda Bleher who was the daughter of Adolf Kiel, the “Father of Water Plants” and pioneer of the modern aquarium starting in 1887, who established the world’s largest plant and ornamental fish farm in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 1900. In 1962, when Bleher was 19, he moved to the US and later attended the University of South Florida, studying courses in ichthyology, biology, limnology, oceanography and parasitology, combined with the work at Elsberry’s Fish Farm and at Gulf Fish Farm. Two years later, after his return to Rio de Janeiro, Bleher established his own export company, “Aquarium Rio,” and continued his research and collecting throughout Brazil.

Fish that carry his name or are named in honor of his family include Hemigrammus bleheri (named for him), Leporinus bleheri, Bleheratherina pierucciae, Streatocranus bleheri, Channa bleheri, Phenacogrammus bleheri, Moenkhausia heikoi, Chilatherina bleheri, Vriesea bleheri (a plant in the Bromeliad family - rjs) and Hyphessobrycon amandae (named for his mother).

daughter

Amanda Bleher

mom

Amanda Bleher

"This is the day I will never forget: on 5th May 1955 at 05:05 there were 5 people, Irene, Karin, Michael & Heiko Bleher and our mother Amanda, with 5 wild animals, departing from Buenos Aires, after almost 2 years in South American jungles following endless discoveries of plants and fishes today adorning aquariums around the world. The women instrumental in getting INTERZOO started (see www.aquapress-bleher.com), the women with the love for nature and wildlife, for plants and fishes - something she dedicated her life to, along with her children.

The first to ride a motorbike, the first in German Tennis, the first to fly a clyder plane, and so much more. Celebrate Interzoo, come to see us, come to meet her son, and help us continuously learn from nature." - Heiko Bleher, FB.

wife

Natasha Khardina

Although divorced in 2017, the former Mrs. Heiko still carries on Heiko's work with her Biotope Aquarium Project, one of the mandates being the digitization of all of Heiko's archive, a noble goal to be sure.