AMAZONAS
AQUATIC
article & images by Hans-Georg Evers • One of the
greatest ichthyologists of our time is no more. Dr. Stanley
H. Weitzman died February 16 in Maryland, shortly before
his 90th birthday. Aside from French scientist Jacques
Géry, Weitzman is regarded
as one of the most important
researchers of the family
Characidae and its relatives.
No fewer than seven spe-
cies have been named in his
honor, including Poecilocharax
weitzmani and Corydoras
weitzmani, both popular and
well-known aquarium fishes.
A student of George S.
Myers—one of the leading ich-
thyologists of the 20th century—Stanley Weitzman was a
scientist in the classical sense. He described a variety of
characin species and other fishes and a number of aquar-
istically relevant tetras (Hyphessobrycon socolofi, Nemato-
brycon lacortei, and many others) and made systematic
revisions of the genera Nannostomus and Paracheirodon
and the Rosy Tetras of the collection genus Hyphessobry-
con. Later in life he focused on characins that reproduce
by internal fertilization (including the subfamilies Xenu-
robryconinae, Glandulocaudinae, and others). He pub-
lished more than 80 scientific articles. His 1966 Phyletic
Studies of Teleostean Fishes, which he co-authored with
P. Humphrey Greenwood, Donn E. Rosen, and George
S. Myers, is still one of the most important publications
on systematic ichthyology. His 1974 work on the marine
family Sternoptychidae (deep-sea hatchetfishes) was the
first published ichthyological work on cladistic meth-odology. Dr. Weitzman
collaborated on many of
his later works with Bra-
zilian colleague and friend
Naercio Menezes.
His highly accom-
plished wife, Marilyn,
a leading expert on the
family Lebiasinidae, worked at his side for years and
survives him. They met in elementary school and always
shared a love of nature and fishes.
I had the honor and great pleasure of correspond-
ing with Stan Weitzman when I was young. Later I was
able to get to know him and Marilyn at various events
and visit them at the Smithsonian Institution in Wash-
ington, DC. Although they had long since retired, the
Smithsonian provided them with office and lab space for
life, so they had access to the huge collection there and
could continue their work on the characins. After they
retired, various articles about Stan and Marilyn appeared
in 2007, and the one by D. G.
Smith (2007) is well worth
reading (link below). I also have
a transcript of two very detailed
interviews with Stan that were
done for the Smithsonian ar-
chives. When I read them today,
I can almost hear his soft voice.
He was an active member of the
editorial boards of several aquar-
ist magazines (The Aquarium
Journal, Tropical Fish Hobbyist,
and Habitat) and scientific periodicals (Smithsonian Con-
tributions to Zoology, Neotropical Ichthyology).
Stan was an extraordinary man. In spite of his fame
he was modest, first and foremost a scientist and a friend
of nature, and from early childhood he loved freshwater
fishes. He was always ready to help other aquarists. He
and I wrote a series of essays for aquaristic journals, and
he even invited me to co-author his description of the
characin genus Bryconadenos. I am especially proud of the
fact that I was able to convince Stan to serve as a scientif-
ic advisor for AMAZONAS. His knowledge and his quiet,
straightforward nature will be missed by many.REFERENCE
Smith, David G. 2007. Historical Perspectives: Stanley and
Marilyn Weitzman. Copeia (4): 1030–1045. https://www.jstor.org/
stable/25140723?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentsLeft: Fellow ichthyologists
and life partners Stanley and
Marilyn Weitzman at the
Smithsonian in 2008.
Below: Corydoras weitzmani.Stanley Howard Weitzman
March 16, 1927–February 16, 2017