There are many benefits of belonging to a local cichlid club, study group, or society. If you live in an area where you have one or more groups within driving distance of your home, consider yourself blessed and we highly recommend that you take full advantage of it. Belonging to a fish club can be very advantageous for you. The support, knowledge, skill, and resources of these dedicated groups are unmatched in the hobby. Most group meetings will end with an auction at which you can obtain plants, fish, and equipment at usually excellent prices. The longer the auction runs, the lower the prices go until finding items for next to free is not surprising. If you have a specific fish that you are interested in raising or breeding, clubs are a great way to connect with local breeders in your area. Many breeders use the resources of the club to sell their fish and some clubs even have awards programs where breeders can earn "breeder points" for fish they raise and sell at auction. Why should you join a local club? Because it's FUN, and it could be the most important step you have ever taken in your growth as an aquarium keeper.

Don't have a cichlid club in your area? Check the Tropical Resources Clubs and Societies Page for the most extensive listing of aquarium clubs and societies in existence. Joining a local "general" club is a great way to meet other cichlid enthusiasts and the next great cichlid group could be in the making.