May 26 – Meeting

A fish-friendly reminder from the Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society…

Our upcoming Monday meeting is the last of our formal season.  We will dive into Corydoras catfish and our annual Member Aquascape Competition. OVAS Executive Board elections are determined with in-person voting at this meeting! Stay tuned for our Summer Picnic Event!

 

Presentation – Corydoras Breeding [Chris Pullen]

Chris Pullen MSc. is an active OVAS member, and auctioneer!  He will be presenting on breeding and raising Corydoras catfish in the aquarium.  Chris has been an active fish-keeper for over 25 years, focusing on planted aquaria, breeding, marine systems, and aquaponics.  Currently, he’s focused on raising and breeding dwarf rainbows, killifish, Apistogramma spp., plecos, Corydoras and a few oddballs.  Chris completed an undergraduate degree in ecology and his graduate work focused on fish ecology and conservation physiology, specifically stress ecology of fish.  Following an early career in outdoor adventure tourism, Chris worked as a fish habitat ecologist before moving on to the financial sector in environmental and social risk management.  An avid angler, Chris has pursued fish with rod and reel across Canada and the tropics and is equally at home observing fish with a mask and fins or wading in a stream with a dip net. If it involves fish, he’s in!

 

Members’ Corner

All members are invited to showcase their aquarium related projects and discoveries at our meetings! You, or an executive member, can share your photos, videos, or other content of up to 5 minutes, at the beginning of our meetings. Please talk to the exec about submitting your content.

 

Member Aquascaping Competition

The OVAS 2025 Small Aquascape Competition, includes Tropica & Seachem prizes ! ! !

• 5 gallons maximum. Any shape is allowed.
• May or may not include living organisms. Make sure to safely transport anything alive.
• Real *aquatic* plants only underwater, you may have emerged plants above water.

Bring electrical extension cords, water, water conditioner, towels, nets, etc. for preparing your aquarium entry.
You are responsible for setup, disassembly, and removal of your aquarium entry.
Visit the forum thread to ask questions or learn more: Nature Aquarium / Aquascaping Contest.

Don’t hesitate to put something together this evening or next, with a light, and then bring it to meeting on Monday! Lots of prizes!

 

Board Election

OVAS Club Executive Board election.  Please consider filling or shadowing an executive position next season!
If you are interested, or would like to nominate someone interested, in participating at the executive level next season (2025-2026), the following positions are available for consideration:

President (vacant)
Vice President (vacant)
Treasurer
Secretary (vacant)
Membership chair
Program chair
Sponsorship chair
Online presence
Auction chair
Webmaster
AHAP (Aquatic Horticulture Award Program) Chair (vacant)
BAP (Breeder Award Program) Chair

 

Meeting Location

Monday, May 26, 2025 7:00pm

J.A. Dulude Arena
941 Clyde Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K2C 4B2

There will be door prizes.
Members are encouraged to set up vendor tables, so bring some cash if looking to shop.
OVAS will have fish bags available for purchase: 25 for $3 / 50 for $5.

 

Dates to Remember

June, 2025 – BBQ/ Potluck – Location TBD
September, 2025 – Garage Sale – Location TBD
September, 2025 – Meeting – J.A. Dulude Arena

OVAS memberships can be renewed for the 2024-2025 season at monthly meetings or online (PayPal).  Seasonal memberships will expire on September 30, 2025.  Members can continue to take advantage of benefits provided by our Sponsors during the off-season.

 

Sponsor discounts for members:

Ponds & Aquaria

* 10% discount for aquarium-related goods and livestock. Please see the sponsor for restrictions.

 

Happy fish-keeping!