Hi, I am Rivkah,

I got my first fish pitching ping-pong balls at a street fair when I was five. I won the "big prize", a black moore goldfish. I kept that fish for nine (9) years, and cried likd a baby when it dies, even though by then I have 12-14 other tanks, and was breeding various species of fish. There is something about that first fish. Because of that first fish, I have maintained a tank of goldifsh ever since.

Over the years, I have kept and/or bred many types of aquatic creatures: various fish, as well as dwarf african frogs, fire belly newts, eastern spotted newts and white lipped tree frogs. I also used to have a monkey, a pair of ravens, a horse, leopard geckos, a collection of fancey mice and at age fourteen (14) I rehabed a Mexican eagle. I had a mother that put up with alot, but never had to remind me to look after my charges, it just seemed to come naturally.

I currently live with: 2 dogs, 4 cats, 3 gerbils (all the furry critters were rescues/strays), 13 fish tanks (with five (5) more waiting until I decide with what), a turtle tank with a southern painted and a texas map turtle, 3 terrariums/vivariums housing 5 red efts (30g), 3 bumblee toads (10g), and 2 firebelly newts (35hex) respectively. Oh... and a domestic partner who "tolerates" my critters. As long as the fruit flies do not get loose, he does not complain, and finds it all quite amusing. As he will often say...its hard to believe I am as old as I am... I am like a little kid and somehow still have that childlike sense of wonder.

Recently, at a rept show, while looking at a particular vendors wares, I mentioned that I could be called a bored fish hobbyist. He said "we get alot of you. Come on over the the frog side" I went home with the bumblebee toads. And more other stuff.... just in case, 'cause you just never know....

Since these creatures did not make the decision to live with me, I strive to make their little world as "perfect" for them as possible. Terrarim/vivarium building is a natural progression for me, being a fish keeper, maintained planted tanks, as well as created/maintained bonsai for decades. So... almost 50 years into it (whatever "it" is) I have not lost that sense of excitement each and every day when I look into the glass boxes and see little faces looking back.