Showing Fish – An Introduction

Revised by Rab Dingwall

I hope that the more established members of the Society will bear with me this month if I devote this part of the newsletter to the table show. We have recently enjoyed a large influx of new members and I have no doubt that some of them would like to take part in this table show but have misgivings about the strange rituals that appear to surround our efforts. I am therefore going to attempt to throw some light on the subject and at the same time pass on some of the tips that I have gleaned from Judges over the years.

The Ilford Society is affiliated to the Federation of British Aquarist Societies and all our table shows are held with their blessing and within their rules and regulations. A list of these rules has been published but simply speaking they state that fish are divided into classes according to their scientific classification; that fish, that are the bona fide property of the exhibitor, should be shown singly (except where stated) in a transparent container with a flat front at least 4” x 4” that contain nothing but water and the fish (i.e. no gravel, plants, etc). The front, back and sides of the container shall be clear but the bottom may be monotone. Fish must be shown in a container that has a flat front at least equal to the total length of the fish. The fish must not be fed on the show bench and the judge must not be approached or interfered with (I should think not) whilst judging is in progress. Various other rules relate to Open Shows but these need not concern us here.

There you are then. It’s easy when you know how but what about winning table shows? Obviously the best fish usually takes the card but this is not always so. A fish that looks fantastic in the natural surroundings of a community tank will often look frightened and ill at ease in a bare jar on the show bench. An understanding of what the judge is looking for will often help an exhibitor to win a show card.

Basically the Judge awards points for five different aspects of the fish that he is judging. All these headings are subjective and refer to the fish at the exact moment that it is judged.

Size 20 pts. A fish that has reached maximum size is awarded 20 points; half size warrants between 6 and 7 and 3/4 size 13 points. It is therefore better to show a small species that is fully-grown than a large species that although a bigger fish is only half grown.
Fins 20pts. Fins must not be ragged or split and in many cases must be of a stipulated shape. Fish with long flowing fins are more likely to have splits than fish with short fins. Fish that are kept alone or with placid tank mates will often have better fins than a fish that is chased by others more active from breakfast until lights out.
Body 20pts. This is something that the exhibitor can do little about. Either the fish is the correct shape for its species or it is not. A healthy fish in the prime of life with a full rounded belly will be better pointed than a frail old man with a hollow stomach and a bent back.
Colour 20 pts. There are two sides to the colour question. Does the fish have the correct colour specification for the species (i.e. stripes in the right places, fin markings. eye spots, etc.) and are its colours clear, strong and solid? A fish such as a pink kissing gourami or a black molly will find colour points easier to collect than say a glowlight or a firemouth whose colour may well fade In the jar or a swordtail that is difficult to line breed with solid colour.
Condition and Deportment 20 pts. Here’s where a little training comes in. A fish must be active and alert in the jar and not sitting on the bottom with its fins closed up. He must be at peace with the world and not frightened. That’s where your skill as an exhibitor comes in.

Tips:
Make sure the tank is clean. Judges hate trying to see fish through greasy finger marks on the glass.
Use a small net to clear out any rubbish that went in with the fish (droppings or duckweed)
Take your own water. Your fish will be happier in its own water and will be less stressed.
Take a cover glass to stop a lively fish jumping out of the show tank.
Take a towel, net and a lint free cloth (to polish the tank front)
Catch your fish the night before and put them into a bare (dark) tank. This means you can take your time catching them without destroying your well-planted tank and can then re-catch them in a few minutes on show day.

Good luck. See you at the show.

Rab dingwall