February 23 2026 – Meeting

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

This meeting will give new meaning to being catfished in lovely February! We are pleased to welcome Chris Pullen to speak again, following May 2025, and are excited to hear more about keeping Corydoradine catfish.

Presentation – What Corydoras have taught me [Chris Pullen]: Lessons from keeping and breeding these fascinating South American catfish.

Chris Pullen will discuss considerations when embarking on breeding projects with Corydoradine species. He will warn us of the pit falls that will arise along the way and provide tips and tricks to improve your success.

Chris Pullen has been captivated by fish for as long as he can remember. A lifelong angler, he has pursued fish from the Arctic to the Caribbean. When casting a line is not enough, he is just as likely to slip into the water with a mask and fins to observe them up close, in their natural world.

With graduate training in fish ecology and conservation physiology, Chris spent over a decade designing and leading fish habitat studies across Canada early in his career. His work has also taken him into the financial and nonprofit sectors, where for the past 15 years he has focused on nature related environmental and social issues across Canada and around the globe.

For more than 20 years, Chris has also been an avid aquarist, specializing in South American freshwater species and recreating natural conditions that encourage authentic behavior — including successfully breeding many of the species he keeps.

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.

OVAS Merchandise

OVAS T-Shirts are now available! They are $25, and offered in sizes 2XL, XL, L, M, & S. Celebrate the club and fish-keeping. The shirt-back features a cool vintage motif, and the front features the OVAS logo, on blue.

Meeting Location

Monday, February 23, 2026
7:00 PM
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.

Dates to remember

Giant Auction
Saturday, March 21 2026 @ Tom Brown Arena
More details to follow

Monthly Meeting
Monday, March 23 2026
Monday, April 27 2026
Monday, May 25 2026

OVAS memberships can be renewed for the 2025-2026 season at our monthly meetings or online.

This is a FREE event sponsored by the Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society. Anyone with an interest in aquariums and related hobbies is welcome to attend. OVAS presentations are a great place to meet other aquarium hobbyists, exchange ideas, and learn more about fish and aquatic plant keeping. Bring your friends!