Greater Pittsburgh Aquarium Society, Inc.
Aquarium Fish Show 04
April 30, May 1 & 2
At the Palace Inn, Monroeville

2775 Mosside Blvd, Route 22 & 48, Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146

Get driving directions by going to Yahoo maps, entering the Palace Inn's street address and zip code in the "destination" box, entering your address in the "starting address" box and clicking "get directions."

For More Information, contact Show Chair (724) 845-7171

Friday, April 30
10 am Set up: table layout, main air lines, vendors, etc.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Registration of entries
7 p.m. GPASI Monthly Meeting at Palace Inn
Speaker: Ray "Kingfish" Lucas on Collecting in Peru
Everyone welcome!

Saturday, May 1
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration of Entries
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fish Room Open to Public
11:30 Speaker: Mike Schadle on Livebearers
2:30 Speaker: Dave Soares on Softwater Dwarf Cichlids
4:00 Fish Room Closed for Judging
7:00 Awards Banquet

Sunday, May 2
9 a.m. Buyer and Seller Auction Registration
9 a.m. Fish Room Open to Public
11 a.m. to finish Huge Auction with auctioneers Mike and Robin Schadle, Joe Krajcovic, and others
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Show entries may be removed

You may download an MSWord version of the below rules for easy printing.

show entry requirements | general requirements | equipment | classes | judging | awards | auction rules | meals | hotel reservations | vendors | sanctioning | smoking

Show Entry Requirements

1. Anyone may enter in any number of classes with no limitations on the number of entries. Affiliation with GPASI or any other aquarium society is not required.

2. Entries must be placed in the most appropriate class as outlined on the “Class” sheets. An entry may be moved by the judges or show committee if it is not in the proper class. Decisions of the Show Chair are final.

3. Each entry may be entered in only one class. An entry will consist of a single fish, except where the rules state otherwise.

4. All entries of an exhibitor must be registered at one time. This includes the set-up of tanks. Empty tanks left unattended for over 2 hours will be moved aside to make room for other entries. Upon your return, we can squeeze in your entries.

5. Registration will begin on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 6:00 pm and will run until 10:00 pm. Sat. registration starts at 9 am and ends at 4pm. Exceptions to the stated registration times can be made by the show chair if advance notification is given. The Show area will close at exactly 4:00 pm May 1! No Exceptions! The Show area will remain closed until judging is complete.

6. Show Area: The show area will be closed to all entrants (except show committee members) beginning at 4:00 pm Saturday, May 1 until judging is completed.

7. Due to the number of people who walk through the show, it is advisable for local entrants to register their fish as early as possible on Friday. This will alleviate any “getting in the way” trouble for entrants and viewers. GPASI members are urged to have their fish set up before noon on Saturday.

8. The registration fee must be paid at the time of registration and will follow this schedule:
$1.50 US per entry for 1 - 20 entries.
$30.00 US maximum charge for 20 or more entries.
You can only register under this fee schedule once.
There is no entry fee for the Junior Class entries (under 16 years of age).

9. All entries must be on the show premises. No Exceptions.

10. No Hybrids are permitted in any Classes.

General Requirements

1. All entries must remain in place for the duration of the show which ends at 4:00 pm on Sunday, May 2. Entries will be removed for auction by the show committee or otherwise with prior authorization of the Show Chair. The fish cannot be removed prior to the judge’s evaluation of the fish.

2. The show committee reserves the right to remove or require the removal of any entry because of a dead fish, leaking tank, or other malfunctioning equipment.

3. Although show committee personnel will be stationed in the show area at all times, neither GPASI nor the Palace Inn will be responsible for loss or damage to fish or equipment. The public is encouraged to attend the show; therefore, ALL ENTRANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COVER THEIR TANKS AND BOWLS SECURELY, to keep the fish IN and to keep others OUT.

4. Anything remaining in the show area after 8:00 pm on Sunday, May 2, 2004 will be removed and become the property of GPASI. (This does not give you an excuse to abandon your trash!)

Equipment

1. Any size tank may be used as long as it is a flat-sided tank. Standard drum bowls with flat sides are also acceptable. Any kind of tank may be used in the Tank Category.

2. Any tank over 20 gallons in any class must be placed on a separate stand provided by the entrant and must have its own air supply.

3. All tank entries may have air powered filtration and any item necessary for the contentment of the fish inside the tank or bowl. However, the judges may penalize or disqualify for not being able to see the fish because of the items in the tank. The judges must be able to remove any item from the tank in order to judge the fish. Under no circumstances is gravel permitted in a tank or bowl within the fish classes. Some type of substrate is required in the tank classes.

4. ALL TANKS AND BOWLS MUST HAVE SOME TYPE OF SECURE LID.

5. We suggest that tanks and bowls entered in the species classes have some sort of solid background (e.g. paint, “Contact” paper, or something else). The sides may also be covered. The color and the kind of background chosen is your choice.

6. Air will be supplied to within 4 feet of all entries (except free standing tanks.) Entrants must supply their own valves, tubing, airstones, etc. ALL AIR LINES MUST BE CONTROLLED BY VALVES. Upon removal of the valve, please seal the hole with masking tape to prevent the loss of air pressure.

7. Heaters will only be allowed in the Discus and tank classes. It is the entrant’s responsibility to supply their own heating, lighting, extension cords, bowls, tanks, and in some instances, stands. One electrical outlet will be provided for your use (free standing tanks, only.)

8. Treated tap water will be available. Bring your own conditioners! The tap water will be from the local Water Authority and may contain some chemicals.

9. A limited supply of drum bowls, valves, airstones, and tubing will be available for purchase at deliberately outrageous prices on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to bring your own.

10. No spray-type window cleaners of any kind (including “organic” cleaners) are permitted in the show area.

Classes

Killies
1. New World
2. Old World

Cichlids
3. Discus
4. Angelfish
5. New World dwarfs
6. New World 6" and under
7. New World over 6"
8. Aulonocara
9. Mbunas
10. Haplochromines, Lake Malawi
11. Victorians
12. Julidochromis, Chalinochromis, and Telmatochromis
13. Lamprolongus and Neolamprolongus, Tanganyikan only
14. Old World under 4"
15. Old World cichlids AOV

Livebearers
16. Guppies, Males, Solid color tails
17. Guppies, Males, All others
18. Guppies, Females, Half Black
19. Guppies, Females, All others
20. Swordtails, Platies, Mollies, Plain finage
21. Swordtails, Platies, Mollies, Fancy finage
22. Livebeares AOV

Catfish
23. Corydoras, Aspidoros, and Brochis
24. Suckermouth catfish, 6" and under
25. Suckermouth catfish, over 6"
26. Synodontis
27. Catfish AOV

Egglayers
28. Sharks and Loaches
29. Rainbowfish
30. Rasboras, Danios, and Minnows
31. Barbs
32. Characins 2" and under
33. Characins over 2"
34. Natives
35. Egglayers AOV
36. Betta, Male, Double tail
37. Betta, Male, single tail
38. Betta, Female
39. Anabantids under 4"
40. Anabantids, 4" and over

Goldfish
41. Goldfish w/head growth: Orandas, Lionhead, and Pompoms
42. Goldfish w/ eye types: Moors, Bubble eyes, Celestials
43. Fantails, Ryukins, and Pearlscales
44. Goldfish AOV

Junior Division
45. Junior Egglayer
46. Junior Livebearer

Specialty Classes
47. Sexable Pairs (1 male and 1 female)
48. Family (parents and six fry at least 3 months old)
49. Aquatic Plants
50. Saltwater fish All Varieties (will compete for Best Egglayer in Show)
51. Tank Beautiful (Fresh or Salt up to 10 gal.)
52. Arts and crafts
53. Slides and photos

Major Trophies
1. Best Of Show
2. Reserve Best Of Show
3. President Award (Most Points In Show)
4. Jack Wilson Memorial Award (Most Points For GPASI Member)
5. Challenge Trophy (Most Points Visiting Society)

Judging

1. All efforts will be made to see that judging is completed and all entries are marked Saturday evening (May 1).

2. No entrant will be permitted in the show area during judging, unless by approval of the show chair.

3. ALL DECISIONS OF THE JUDGES ARE FINAL and are not subject to appeal.

Awards

Cash and an award card will be presented to First, Second, and Third place winners in most classes. ($10 for first, $7 for second, and $3 for third.) All cash prizes will be handed out to the winners at the Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 1, 2004.

Trophies will be given out to winners of the 7 divisions (no trophy will be given for the Specialty Division) and the five major award categories listed below.

1. A trophy will be awarded to the “Best of Show - Fish” and will be chosen from the seven divisional winners (Killifish, Cichlids, Livebearers, Catfish, Egglayers, Goldfish and Juniors). Classes 54 and 55 will be included in this award.

2. A “Reserve Best of Show - Fish” will be chosen from all entrants. Classes 56, 58, 59 and 60 will be excluded from participation in this award

3. The “Best of Show - Cichlid” entry will also be awarded an ACA Medallion.

4. One President’s award will be presented to the entrant who accumulates the most points. Points for this and other awards will be based on the following system:
Each Best Of Show = 6 Points
Reserve Best of Show = 5 points
Each Divisional = 4 points
Each First Place = 3 Points
Each Second Place = 2 points
Each Third Place = 1 point

5. The “Jack Wilson Memorial” award will be presented to the current GPASI member who accumulates the most points following the preceding system.

6. The “Challenge Trophy” will be presented to the visiting society that accumulates the most points following the preceding scoring system. The first society listed on your registration form will be the only society awarded any challenge points.

7. A FAAS Medallion will be awarded to the first place Junior Class Winner.

NO POINTS WILL BE GIVEN FOR NON-PLACING ENTRIES. Ties will be broken by the number of 1st place awards on down until a winner is determined. These procedures will be followed for all pointed awards.

Auction Rules

1. Registration for both buyers and sellers will begin at 9:00 am on Sunday, May 2. The auction will begin promptly at 11:00 am of the same day.

2. All GPASI member BAP and AHAP items will be auctioned at the beginning of the auction. Donations will be sold during the auction at the auction chair’s discretion.

3. Following the sale of the last AHAP item, the auctioneer will move on to items offered for sale by registered sellers. The proceeds from the sale will be split between the seller and GPASI at a ratio of 70% to 30% in favor of the seller.

4. The Auction will be conducted using a ten table system. All items ending in #1 go on Table #1, all ending in #2 go on Table #2, etc. All items ending in #0 go on Table #10. All items with #1, #11, #21 etc will be auctioned first. Following tables to be sold will be picked at random.

5. There is no maximum or minimum number of bags that can be placed in the auction. However, a maximum of 5 bags of one species or color variety for one seller will be in effect. The auction chair can modify this rule at his discretion if a request is made prior to the day of the auction. Each item will be assigned a seller’s code (usually the sellers initials) and a number by the seller, such as PDB - 1. Letter identifications can be pre-registered by phoning Jim Davidson at (412) 781-3938 between 5-9 p.m., ONLY. Only 1 letter identification will be assigned to a household.

6. Only fish and plants will be sold at the auction – no dry goods.

7. Anyone in attendance may purchase or sell items in the auction, but must first register with GPASI as a buyer and/or seller.

8. ALL BIDDERS must have a bidding card whether paying cash or running a tab. Buyers may pay cash at the time of purchase. All registered buyers will be given an account number and be designated as a cash or account buyer. This account number will be used to designate their purchases. The account buyer must sign a bidder's slip that shows the price, item number, and your buyer number agreeing to pay the listed price. Buyer's setting up a buyer account will be required to leave identification with the registration table. This is usually a valid driver's license. All other forms of identification must be approved by the show chair. Upon paying your tab you will be returned your identification. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! A Buyer Account must be established before making your bid. Auctioneers will only recognize those bidders with the appropriate bidder's cards.

9. Bidding will be made in increments of one dollar. While the auctioneer may suggest a price to start the bidding, a lower opening bid may be offered by anyone. The minimum bid on any item is one dollar.

10. Acceptable Means of Payment: GPASI will accept Cash in the form of US Currency, a US Money Order, a Cashier’s Check in US Funds, or a Traveler’s Check in US Funds with proper identification. Personal checks in US funds may be accepted with proper identification. Verification must be recognized in advance. GPASI reserves the right to refuse to accept any personal check.

11. There will be NO EARLY CHECK-OUTS PERMITTED DURING THE AUCTIONING OF THE LAST TWO TABLES. Check-outs (paying for your auction purchases) will resume at the closing of the auction.

12. To place a bid, merely raise your bidding card to gain the recognition of the Auctioneer. The Auctioneer can accept only one bid at each price and the decision of the Auctioneer as to who made that bid is final. It is the Bidder's responsibility to communicate the bid to the auctioneer. The auctioneer will not be held responsible for lost bids or inaccurate bids due to lack of communication or the inability of the buyer to get the auctioneer's attention.

13. Bags used to hold items for sale must be clear plastic and of the type used in pet stores. “Baggies,” “Zip-Locs”’ or opaque trash bags are unacceptable and will be returned to the seller. Each bag must be sealed by a rubber band or tied shut. Twist-ties are not acceptable. The bag should generally contain 1/3 water and 2/3 air. Any item needing rebagged by the show committee will be charged a $1 rebagging fee that will be deducted from the seller’s proceeds. Large or spiked fish must be double-bagged.

14. The seller must have certain required information on the bag in order to properly sell the item. The minimum requirements are the Seller Code and bag number, Species scientific/common name, quantity in the bag, seller’s name and phone number. The information provided must be legible, large enough to read, and unaffected by water. Items to be auctioned will be checked by a member of the auction committee prior to being placed on the auction tables. Any problems with items to be auctioned will be corrected by the seller at this time.

15. The auction chair reserves the right to refuse any fish for sale due to deformity, illness, etc.

16. If a buyer experiences problems with a seller’s fish, please take up the problem with the seller. It is advisable to let GPASI know of the problem; in that way we can better control next year’s auction.

17. Proceeds from the auction will be paid by check to the seller within two weeks of the show. Proceeds will not be deducted from your purchases at the show. You will be expected to pay for your purchases at the time of sale. All sellers' splits will be paid by the stated check.

Meals

AWARDS BANQUET REGISTRATION
Banquet must be prepaid by April 15, 2004.

$22.00 per person. Dinner includes buffet, dessert, coffee & soft drinks.

Name __________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State _________ Zip___________

Send check for total number of dinners ordered at $22.00 each. Make check payable to GPASI. Mail to: GPASI, c/o Jim Davidson, 1453 Woodbine Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.

Reservations for the award banquet on Saturday night must be made in advance (before April 15). Caterers will also have food available at reasonable prices at the show site, and there are a number of restaurants in the area.

Hotel Reservations

The official hotel of the GPASI AQUARIUM FISH SHOW 04 All Species Tropical Fish Show and Auction is the Palace Inn, Monroeville PA 15146 (at Exit 6 PA Turnpike. RT 22 & 48) (412) 372-5500

Vendors

A number of vendors will be displaying their goods at the show. Many will have goods for sale, some at discounted prices for the event.

Sanctioning

ACA and FAAS Sanctioned

Smoking

Due to City and State Regulations, no smoking will be allowed in the show area. Smoking is permitted outside only.

Back to Top

Questions or Problems? Contact .

up

up

up

up

up

up

up

up

up

up