This, is as the title
suggests, is a guide for mainly first time showers on getting
the best enjoyment out of showing your fish. This article
may be of use also to the more experienced aquarist who
may need a refresher course at the beginning of the show
season. The rules of judging and showing are of course
based on the rules set down by the Scottish Federation of
Aquarist Societies. We will start with the fundamental points
of how to show and what to show.
How to Show:
Each club have their own schedules to show their classes
for their particular show and it is a good idea to have
this in hand before you progress. This is of course not
mandatory as most of the schedules will only differ slightly,
but it does help. You will probably receive those schedules
at most shows that you visit. This brings me to the point
of visiting shows before you show your fish, that way you
can gauge what is going on and also talk to the members,
as they will only be to glad to help to get another aquarist
interested in showing their fish, as this benefits the clubs
in the long run, with increased entries.
The part below shows you a typical show schedule taken from
the Scottish Aquarist Festival and S.A.F. Open Show of 14th.Sept.
2008.
Classes
1. Guppies
2. Mollies
3. Platies
4. Swordtails
5. AOV.Livebearers
6. Characins A
7. Characins B
8. Characins C
9. Barbs A
10. Barbs B
11. Catfish A (Corydoras,
Aspidoras,
Brochis)
12. Catfish B – up to 7.5cm
13. Catfish C – over 7.5cm
14. Colisa Species
15. Trichogaster Species
16. A.O.V. Anabantids
17. Betta splendens
18. Sharks & Loaches
|
19. Rasboras
20. Danios & Minnows
21. A.O.V. Egglayers
22. Egglaying Toothcarps
23. Dwarf Cichlids
24. Large Cichlids
25. Rift Valley Cichlids
26. Junior Livebearer
27. Junior Egglayer
28. Junior Coldwater
29. Pairs: Livebearers
30. Pairs: Egglayers
31. Breeders: Livebearers
32. Breeders: Egglayers
33. Junior Breeders: Livebearers
34. Junior Breeders: Egglayers
35. Coldwater Exotic
36. Common Goldfish & Shubunkins
37. A.O.V. Coldwater |
Special Awards.
Best Fish in Show
• Best Junior
• Best AOV
Egglayer
• Best Barb
• Best Catfish
• Best Characin
• Best Cichlid
• Best Pair
• Best Coldwater
•
Best Livebearer
• Best Egglayer
•
Best Breeders: Livebearers
• Best Breeders:
Egglayers |
As you can see there will be a category for any of your
fish and you can get a schedule on the day of the show if
you do not posses one. The reason for the idea of having
one on your person beforehand is that you can plan what
you are entering the day or so before, and to also have
the class numbers as well.
There are usually 1st, 2nd and 3rd places given in each
category and if you are as lucky as to gain a first place
you will be up for what is called, a Special, which puts
you up against the winners from your respective classes.
Example: If you gain a first place in Catfish A, you will
be up against the first places in Catfish B & C. If
your fish is deemed the best from these three firsts, you
will gain a Special and Best Catfish and this will automatically
put you forward to what is called the “Top Table”
with all of the other Special awards, and will be judged
for the prestigious award of Best in Show. There are also
awards for the 2nd and 3rd Best in Show, Best Breeder, Best
Pair, and Best Junior etc. depending on the show.
It is important of course in that you get to the venue on
time as most shows will start booking in from 10am and will
close at 1.pm. to allow the judging to start. The judging
(depending on entries) is usually from 1 to 4pm. After this
you will get to view the fish, and around about 5pm (after
the auction is finished) the prize giving will commence.
These of course are approximate times but in the main this
is the time schedule.
What to Show:
This will probably be down to experience as you begin to
show your fish, as you can look at the fish that are entered
alongside yours, and if they are gaining the place cards
you can compare these entries. You can also approach the
Judges (after judging) and ask your questions, as they will
be only to keen to give you advice, as we all had to go
down this same road
Show Tanks:
This of course is very important as you can not show your
fish without one. Again you can see the tanks on display
and you can either make them yourself or buy them from the
show auctions, individuals or from your own club.
The requirement is that it should not be smaller than 100mm
x 100mm x 100mm or you will in essence have your entry disqualified.
You can put gravel or sand in the bottom of the show tank
but it is normal to paint the outside of the base with a
black paint to show of your fish. You will also get a better
idea by studying the tanks on display. It is important to
have a nice show tank as this is taken into consideration
by the judges as well as the fish. The main requirement
of course is to get your fish to look its best and only
you will be able to gauge that. Below is the rules laid
down for show tanks.
1. All exhibits must be shown in clear
flat sided containers of a suitable size for the exhibit.
The minimum size acceptable for show containers will be
10 x 10 x 10cm, containers of smaller sizes will be disqualified.
2. Exhibits must be able to be seen on
all four sides (no divided containers. No large jars laid
flat) except in certain types of shows, the back and the
sides may be obscured.
3. Only natural fawn colour type gravel,
in an even thickness layer, will be accepted on the bottom
of the tanks.
4. Coloured tanks or tank bottoms if painted,
must be black.
5. Coral and /or sand may be used for species
from Rift Valley and species of marine fish.
6. Peat may be used for species of Killie
Fish.
7. The covering and /or colouring of the
tank bottoms are solely up to the discretion of the exhibitor.
8. If taped, only black tape will be accepted
on show containers.
Judging methods:
There is a criteria for judging fish and if the show person
has an idea what the judge is looking for it will go a long
way in securing the prizes on offer. Below is the pointing
system used by the S.F.A.S.
Fish – single:
Size: 20 points
Body: 20 points
Fins: 20 points
Colour: 20 points
Deportment: 10 Points
Presentation: 10 points
Total: 100 points
Fish – pairs:
Males: Size 20. Body 20.
Fins 20. Colour 20. Deportment
10 Total 90.
Females as above:
Matching of the pair 90
Presentation 10
Total :210
Divided by 2 to give a total of 105
Fish – Breeders
Difficulty of breeding (as per booklet)
( )
Size for age: 20
Colour and quality: 20
Deportment: 10
Matching: 20
Presentation: 10
Breeders Classes : Rules
• All fish must be the property of, have been bred
and reared by the named exhibitor.
• All fish must be at least 2 calendar months old,
and not older than 14 months.
• The date of hatching or delivery must be clearly
stated on the container.
• The exhibit shall be termed a team and will consist
of four fish. Two matched pairs where sexable
will be given precedence where points are equal.
Explanation of Pointing :
Size:
The Aquarium norm for size is the term devised by the J&SS
Committee to establish a recognised show size excluding
the tail (S.L. Standard Length), and is defined as thus
(see line drawing below). Aquarium Norm
for maximum size which is normally attainable, is that which
is measured from the anterior of the snout to the posterior
end of the caudal peduncle which will be awarded 15 points.
Under this size will be allocated less than 15 points and
over will be allocated more than 15 points up to a theoretical
maximum of 20 points.
You can buy the Aquarium Norms from the Federation stall
at the shows for a nominal fee.
• Body :
Should be the correct shape for the species.
• Fins : The
fins should be the correct shape and size for the species.
Bent or deformed rays will be deducted points. Also missing
fins may lead to the disqualification of the exhibit.
• Colour :
Should be strong and true to the species. Wrong colour markings
may lead to a deduction of points. Fish should have an overall
sheen or lustre depending on the species.
• Deportment :
This is the carriage and behaviour of the fish.
Example; Corydoras should be resting on its pectoral fins
and the lower lobe of the caudal fin.
• Presentation :
This is how the fish is presented. Scratches on the glass
and/or fingerprints may have points deduced for presentation.
Fish must be able to move freely, so size of tank is important.
Too small and it may lead to disqualification
Below shows a typical show tank.
You can seal the lid for transportation and neatness by
applying silicon to a double top which sits inside the tank.
You can put a small bead of silicon around this second lid
and when dry it should fit snugly inside the top of the
tank. If too tight you can pare away some of the silicon
until a good fit is achieved.
The bottom of the tank can be raised so that you can apply
a black tape around the bottom so it will not encroach up
the glass and impair the viewing and judging of the fish.
There are different views on the idea of showing your fish.
Some aquarists will just not do it and each persons view
must be respected, but if you treat your fish with compassion
and don’t show any that are not happy on the show
bench, we can all enjoy seeing fish that we would maybe
not see anywhere else in the aquatic world.
Allan James. |
