Missouri aquarium society
Welcome to The DARTER
Darter Magazine is a bi-monthly aquarium hobby magazine published by the Missouri Aquarium Society, located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is our goal to provide high quality content covering every aspect of the aquatic hobby, aquatic conservation and science. Please join us in helping to create high quality content and building a thriving local, national, and international aquatic community.
Darter History
Darter Through the Years
The Darter began publication in 1972 as a typed and hand drawn newsletter for the Missouri Aquarium Society. Like many aquarium clubs and societies around the country and around the world, the publication helped to inform members about upcoming dates and provided a place of club news and the exchange of goods. Many past and current members took their turns editing or helming the newsletter and contributing to its development over the years.
During the 1990s, the Missouri Aquarium Society made the transition to digital media and the Darter began a dual life, as a digital newsletter, alongside the traditional print newsletter in 19XX. Digital tools also helped to elevate the graphical content of the newsletter with the incorporation of photography and digital graphics.
While there are many fine aquarium club publications, the dedication of MASI members and the unique level of expertise among the club’s members have given the Darter newsletter a prestige among club newsletters around the country. Contributors like Mike Hellweg, Pat Tosie, and skilled editors like our most recent Chuck Bremer, made the club’s newsletter into one of the best in the country by finding interesting and unique material to cover in the magazine.
In 2023, former editor Chuck Bremer turned the magazine over to a new editorial team led by journalist and historian Micah Issitt, educator and scientist David Farel, and engineer and designer Matthew Montoya-Rush. Recognizing the high quality of material available and with aquarium magazines, both amateur and professional, increasingly going out of business, Issitt and the Darter Team made the decision to reengineer the Darter as a full-fleged aquarium magazine and to aim for a larger national and international distribution.
A Gallery of Darter Covers
Darter Covers from the 1970s through the 2020s…
Significant Milestones
In 2023, the Darter Editorial Team was formed. Citizens of the island nation of Nauru celebrated for reasons that are still obscure.
Expansion and Influence
We have over six readers. We’re not gonna say how many more, but it’s more.
Digital Transformation
In 2024, Darter Digital Productions went online. A lot of people said it was like SkyNet’s origin story, without the murderous robots.
Meet Our Editorial Team
Get to know the dedicated editors and contributors who bring Darter Magazine to life and participate in the fobidden rituals that give the magazine sentience.
Micah Issitt
Editor-in-Chief
Micah Issitt is an adventuring historian and journalist. His primary areas of expertise include aquatic horticulture, wildlife gardening, and turtles.
David Farel
Managing Editor
David Farel is an educator and scientist. His primary interests include aquatic microfauna, aquatic science, and oddball species.
Matthew Montoya-Rush
Layout Editor
Matthew Montoya-Rush is a bioengineer working in medicine. His focus includes specialty horticulture and aquascape design.
What Our Readers Say
★★★★★
‘I definitely saw it. Whether or not I read it is up for debate. Convince me.’ – Gerglin P.
Gerglin P. Mutterton
★★★★★
‘As a literate human, I find this magazine easy to read.’ – Dr. Chort H.
Chort “Dr.” Hurnley
★★★★★
‘I’ve been reading this magazine since before reading was cool. What’s that? It still isn’t cool? Nevermind then.’ – Murtle H.
Murtle V. Handsworthiensis
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