Mountain Valley Middle School CARES

By: Greg Steeves

Photographs by the author

One Teacher’s Vision

In the summer of 2009, science teacher Debbie Bumgardner of Mountain Valley Middle School in Sattler, Texas expressed interest in the Hill Country Cichlid Club CARES program. Debbie visualized creating a ‘hands on’ approach to species conservation and integrating it with her curriculum. After a few conversations and a little research the MVMS CARES project was born. Debbie had obtained a 75-gallon aquarium and once the word went out to HCCC members, additional equipment and livestock were graciously given to the program.

Name That Fish!

Although the 2009-2010 school year was to be a learning experience with the main goal of discovering what would work and what would not, the students took an incredible interest in the fish. The livestock consisted of Xystichromis phytophagus, a CARES listed species from Lake Kanyaboli, Neochromis omnicaeruleus and Paralabidochromis chromogynos, both from Lake Victoria, and Synodontis greshoffi from the Congo River. The students increased their knowledgebase of these fish through studies and research, and once the cichlids were given names (Bob, Sparky, etc.), the kids were hooked. Each day they would diligently check their fish.

First Successful Spawn

As the first school year came to a close, one of the Xystichromis phytophagus was seen mouthbrooding a clutch of eggs. The first successful spawn! Some of the fry from this spawning was sent off to the Vienna Zoo. Others will go to the Capital of Texas Zoo to be displayed in the brand new cichlid exhibit, and the remaining young joined their parent’s colony at the Mountain Valley Middle School for the 2010-2011 school year.

Teacher of the Year

During the first year of MVMS CARES, Debbie had the honor of being voted Teacher of the Year by her peers at Mountain Valley Middle School. In addition, the administration of both the school and district fully supported her involvement and the CARES effort.

Additions to MVAS CARES for 2010-2011

Riding on the successes of the first year of this CARES program, plans were made to expand the number of aquariums as well as the number of species being maintained. Additional equipment was donated though the generosity of HCCC members. Both parents and students came though with everything from needed items to décor such as rocks.

In an effort to retain student interest and enthusiasm, 2010-2011 includes one aquarium which houses colorful cichlids such as young Pseudotropheus saulosi, Cynotilapia sp. ‘hara,’ and Pundamilia macrocephala. The beautiful hues shown by these fish, even while juveniles, should interest the students and get them involved in the next step, species maintenance of conservation priority cichlids.

Additional aquariums will contain cichlids from Lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon. Myaka myaka, Pungu maclareni, and additional Lake Victoria species will soon call Mountain Valley Middle School home.

Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies Donation

This year, the Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies provided a $250 award to MVMS CARES that will go towards the purchase of additional filtration and upgraded lighting.

More updates will follow on what is certain to be a very successful CARES effort!

MVMS CARES Acknowledgements

MVMS CARES would like to recognize the following organizations and individuals whose gracious support makes this program possible.

Dave’s Rare Aquarium Fish
Robert Deleon
Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies
Dave Hansen
Hill Country Cichlid Club
Mike Kaaki
Paul V. Loiselle
Pat Mallinger
Henry Rockward Jr.
Benjamin Smith
Troy Veltrop

CARES is so very proud of Debbie and her students at
the Mountain Valley Middle School for their dedication to
conservation priority fishes, and of Greg and Lee Ann Steeves
for their foresight and efforts in coordinating the MVMS CARES endeavor.

Warm and heartfelt thanks to all who have made this possible!

The C.A.R.E.S. Preservation Program is about our fish,
and it is about people.
We are one team, working together. Please, clear a tank ~ save a fish!
Because of you, we are making a difference!