It is with great regret that we report the death, on April 27th 2005, of the German cichlid expert Frank Warzel, at the age of just 44, writes Mary Bailey.
Frank was universally accepted as the leading expert on the pike cichlids
of the genus Crenicichla, which he not only kept and bred in the aquarium but also studied and collected in their natural habitat in South America, including discovering a number of previously unknown species.
He was also a skilled photographer, whose excellent photos of "pikes" have illustrated books and articles on the subject, as well as his lectures. I had the privilege of attending one of the latter a few years ago, and although these cichlids are very much a minority interest, the audience was totally
enthralled.
It is always a tragedy when someone dies prematurely, but Frank's death is a tremendous loss.
Not only to his family and friends, but also to the aquarium hobby, as it is doubtful whether his detailed and specialised knowledge can ever be replaced or equalled.
Our sincere condolences to all those who were close to him.