Thomas Tillman

Thomas, born on February 27^th in 1967, from Duisburg in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.  He is a respected member of some of the most popular fish associations in Germany, like the DCG (German Cichlid Society) and the IG BSSW (International Society for Barbs, Tetras, Loaches and Catfish). He is known for his vast knowledge about Cichlids in general, but especially the species from Central America. He is also always up to date concerning livebearers from mentioned area.

Over 30 years ago, he turned his hobby into a job, and since then, he says, he hasn’t worked a day anymore. His own ornamental fish shop is in the direct vicinity of the Duisburg main station, and highly frequented. He has many loyal customers that come from far away. But aquatics aren’t his only occupation. Thomas also plays volleyball on a regular basis and likes to go fishing. His shop “Hobbyzoo Neudorf” offers a choice of Central American cichlids that is hard to surpass. They are Thomas’ absolute favourites. Besides cichlids, he also specializes in Central American livebearers (wild forms, not cultivated breeds) and tetras, and you can find a beautiful choice and species diversity of both fish groups in his shop, too. We don’t need to mention, that he stocks the entire common species, too, right?

Thomas isn’t satisfied with just keeping fish. He also wants to see and collect them in their natural habitats. He travelled to Guatemala once, twice to Panama, and four times to Mexico. His last trip took him to Bolivia together with both of us, Markus Kaluza and Daniel Konn-Vetterlein. Thomas is a great travel companion, knows his fish and registers natural aspects, that many others would miss. He is not into birds, but still a great speaker and always up for a joke. We are sure you will deeply enjoy his talk.