Lolita Harper There is no fast-talking emcee...

Lolita Harper

There is no fast-talking emcee and no swift body movements to

master in order to walk away with some of the best underwater

treasures at Costa Mesa’s distinct fish club auction.

Linda Sweet, spokesperson for the Coast Aquarium Society, is

anxious for members to join the ranks of successful fish hobbyists.

Sweet, who is a tropical fish expert herself, said the club was

formed to get people to truly understand what their fish need, “not

just to survive but to thrive.”

“We tell people that you will have a lot more fun with your fish

if you do it properly,” Sweet said.

The club is great fun, not a huge time commitment and not as geeky

as it sounds, she said. And indeed it is not. Some members are older

while others are 20-somethings. Couples come together and bring their

children while lone members peruse auction tables.

The Coast Aquarium Society meets the first Sunday of every month

at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center on Park Avenue. It is

a not-for-profit organization managed by volunteers for the distinct

purpose of bringing experienced and novice fish hobbyists, Sweet

said.

“It’s a great way to learn about fish,” she said.

The club lays out a tempting array of goodies and treats its

members to an informative slide show. Longtime hobbyist, such as

former club president Wayne Stewart, are on hand to answer questions

and offer their best tips.

Members maintain everything from cichlids, killifish, fancy

guppies, rare live bearing fish, gouramis, bettas, catfish and a wide

variety of aquatic plants, Sweet said.

The real draw of the meeting seems to be the auction table, where

fish enthusiasts are treated to a wide array of mostly-used

equipment. In addition to a less expensive item, members receive

first-hand how-to guidelines from its previous owner.