Reef Hobbyist Magazine goes international, infiltrating Asia with Chinese edition

Harry T. Tung and Jim Adelberg have been working hard to build Reef Hobbyist Magazine, their FREE quarterly publication, for 5 years now. As Jim and Harry launched the sixth season of RHM, they enter a new chapter with the inaugural publication of the first Chinese issue of Reef Hobbyist Magazine. Read on to learn more about RHM and this new offering.

Reef Hobbyist Magazine, the new Chinese Edition.

It’s fair to say that Reef Hobbyist Magazine has mostly replaced the niche formerly held by Seascope (a newsletter published by Aquarium Systems that started in 1983, and used to contain several articles per quarter, but these days seems to be nothing more than an occasional digital newsletter more often than not simply covering Aquarium Systems products). Given the decline of “Seascope”, at least in the incarnation we grew up with, it’s nice to see the tradition of a “free at your local retailer” hobbyist publication continued by RHM. But these days, Reef Hobbyist Magazine has far surpassed what I remember in the Seascopes of my youth – you can get a hard copy through your LFS or even your local aquarium club, and you can view every issue online, for free, in the Reef Hobbyist Magazine archives.

Having co-authored my first legit marine aquarium article with Richard Ross for Marine Hobbyist Magazine back in volume 2, issue 4, I’ve always felt a certain debt to the guys at RHM (and to Rich Ross) for giving me my “big break”. Since that time, I’ve watched RHM grow, change and evolve. It’s fair to say that Reef Builders staff has a certain affinity for RHM, given that both Jake Adams and myself have articles in the latest installment. I can’t speak for Jake, but there is something surreal seeing your work translated into another language.

Jake Adams' Aussie Coral article, translated into Chinese. — Jake Adams’ Aussie Coral article, translated into Chinese.

When asked how the idea of a “Chinese Reef Hobbyist Magazine” came about, Harry explained that, “We chose Chinese as the first translation because we feel that the number of hobbyists in China are increasing quickly with the birth of the new middle class in a culture where ornamental fish are synonymous with good luck and protection from evil. Yet there seemed to be a void in regards to cutting-edge, responsible reef-keeping information accessible for non-English readers.” [note – Harry said “first” translation…what’s next in RHM’s plans for global domination?]

This was no “quick project” – what you see here is the result of more than a year’s discussions to ultimately partner with Reef.hk, of Hong Kong, to offer Reef Hobbyist Magazine in Chinese. This new Chinese edition will reach readers in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, China, and elsewhere. Currently, the Chinese RHM will only be available in an online format.

It’s about time the US found something worthwhile to export to China. As an author, I’m honored that our Chinese counterparts find an article I’ve written worthy of translation for their fellow aquarists. We wish Reef Hobbyist Magazine and their partners Reef.hk of Hong Kong a very prosperous new year.

Yeah – it’s really cool to see your work translated into Chinese!

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Matt Pedersen

Matt Pedersen is an interactive software developer and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.