About The Cause & It's Founder Wilma Duncan

My name is Wilma Duncan. I started keeping tropical fish in the early 90's and my first aquarium tank consisted of Mollys and Goldfish. As with all hobbyist one tank is never enough.  I did my fair share of the flushing syndrone. It wasn't long before I managed to get a few mollies to survive and have fry. As soon as I discovered fry, off I rushed to purchase another tank and before I knew what was happening the tanks began to take over my house. I decided to start spawning the egg-laying fish and my first attempt was a complete failure. I read every article I could on fish keeping and breeding fish. Soon my attempts were successful and before I  knew it I had a major problem - What to do with the fry?

My first attempt at selling to the LFS (local fish store) was a total nightmare. Sure, they were glad to buy my fry, as they were excellent fish. The first Cherry Barbs sold to the LFS changed my mind on ever doing this again. The owner netted them out of the bucket and straight into the tank they went. The pH shock sent several  spiraling throughout the tank, struggling to survive. I stood there watching several of  my beautiful fish die! This was the end of selling to the LFS. The next step was to find homes for my little ones. A friend suggested that I sell them to friends and neighbors and take the money to buy my fish supplies. Word  quickly spread that Wilma's was the place to get top quality fish. Then one morning, a lady called from the State Board of Education. Could she come see my fish and buy a few for several school aqua culture programs?  After learning that the programs consisted of children in need of love and healing, she left with donated fish and plants.

Soon, I was seeing people from all ages and walks of life. Many were living on low incomes or kids struggling to survive in homes without love. The idea for The Cause was born. My income could not support the growing Cause, so I began asking for help. Many of these people were my friends and members of UniQuaria group and many donated equipment, fish, and plants. Before long others throughout the internet began donating items and as of today aquarium items and knowledge has  been distributed to many schools and people throughout the state of West Virginia  and other states. On occasions I have sold some of my fish, snails, and plants to raise enough money to keep this wonderful program going and most of all, I know my little ones  are going to great homes and living out their lives in habitats similar to the ones they would have come from in nature. If anyone would like more information on this wonderful project or would like to contribute in some way, please email me at your convenience. I will be happy to elaborate or accept your donations. They will go to a worthy cause.

"To love one another is to do for another"