Mandrekar, Kapil

Kapil Mandrekar, is currently a Ph.D. student in Aquatic Ecology/Ichthyology at SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry located in Syracuse, NY. As a Ecologist/Ichthyologist, my current research focuses on ecology and conservation of the MEGAFISH arapaima in the lower Amazon regions near the urban center of Santarém (Para State, Brazil). This area has multitude of different aquatic ecosystem and home to a diverse array of tropical fishes, including a hot spot for many of the most sought after wild discus fish strains. I have made 5 trips to the amazon since starting my degree. In the past I have studied Central American cichlids and Cave fish. Other than Brazil, I have traveled, observed fish from Belize, Mexico, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, India and throughout many places in the USA. I was born in Toledo, OH and when my parents brought me home from the hospital, they brought me to a house rich aquaria! When my family moved to Kalamazoo, MI; my Father and I joined Southwest Michigan Aquarium Society (SWMAS) and I have been a member since the age of 3 years. Growing up in SWMAS has exposed me to many amazing hobbyist that took the time to teach me about keeping and breeding all kinds of fishes. I have kept to a wide variety of fishes and have kept/bred everything from cichlids, killifish, livebearers, characins, labyrinth fishes, cyprinids, goldfish/koi, fancy bettas, planted aquariums, saltwater, oddballs, catfish and more! Before I graduated from High school I used to run over 40 aquariums and 5000 gallons of indoor/outdoor ponds. I am also currently a part time manger at ABC Reefs Two LLC. (Liverpool, NY) where we focus on bringing in rare freshwater/marine fishes, inverts, plants and more. I am a current member of the Central New York Aquarium Society since moving to Syracuse. I currently run anywhere between 7-10 aquariums and been focusing on a little bit of everything. Programs: Swimming with Wild Discus Starting a Saltwater Tank Fish Physiology—How They Function In a Watery Environment Arapaima and Visiting Santarem, Brazil