Alex Ploeg, dutch fish breeder, wholesaler and ichthyologist responsible for the description of twenty five Crenicichla species, who had been Secretary General of the OFI (Ornamental Fish International) since 2004, has tragically been in the company of his wife Edith, their son Robert and his friend Robin on board of Malaysian airlines flight MH17 shot down in eastern Ukraine airspace last Thursday 17 of July. Alex was much appreciated in the ornamental fish industry where he had a large network of contacts ranging from ministers to fish collectors, with whom he shared his vast knowledge of the ornamental fish industry.