Exhibiting at an FBAS Open Shows

Compiled by STAMPS Members

All FBAS Open Shows are run to the same rules and regulations throughout the country,
at FBAS open shows, all fish are judged and pointed,
at FBAS open shows all judging sheets are displayed for the exhibitors to see,
fish exhibits are judged in  six categories, each worth 4x20 and 2x10 marks (max 100), (see fuller explanation),
Furnished Aquaria & Aquascapes Ponds & Pants continue to use the old 5-20 system, (see fuller explanation),
Categories for different exhibits are explained on the right-hand side of the judging sheets,
each class has a card to show where you exhibit should be displayed (see fuller explanation),
exhibits should be displayed in the correct class (see full list by genra),
exhibits in the wrong classes will be moved by the show organizer and the judging sheets amended,
Judging Size:
the FBAS has its own national show fish size book,
size is judged on a sliding scale up to 10,
a half grown fish score 3.5, while a three-quarter grown fish scores 6.5,
a fully grown fish or bigger scores 10,
fish not in the size book are are always judged,
if a fish is not in this book its size be obtained from other sources,
size adjustment forms are sent to the FBAS J&S after each show,
information on fish not listed in the size book can be sent directly to the FBAS J&S,
www.fishbase.org is the main source of information for fish not listed in the size book,
Goldfish and Koi are not judged for size,
fish are measured from the tip of their nose to their caudal peduncle, and the tail is not included,
snouty fish such a Elephant Noses do not have these extension included in their size.
Breeding Pairs:
must be readily identifiable as a male and female of the same species,
they can be shown in separate tanks but must have the same exhibit number.
Breeders Teams:
breeders teams consist of 4 or 6 fish, 
the number of fish should be stated in the show schedule,
breeders teams must not be older than 14 months
their date of birth must be shown on the tank,
priority with be given to equal numbers of males and females.
Show Tanks:
see a pictorial guide to FBAS show tank rules,
the minimum size tank at an FBAS Open Show is 100mm x 100mm x 100mm,
the show tank is judges as part of the exhibit in championship classes,
tanks with a raised base have their height measured from that base, and not the bottom of the tank,
framing is allowed,
an exhibit number must be displayed on the top right hand corner,
the only other stickers allowed on the tank are the species name and DOB of breeders teams,
the frame of a tank can obscure the view of bottom living fish such as Loaches and Corydoras,
it is always best to cover the tank's base to avoid washing-out your exhibit's colour,
gravel must have a maximum depth of 20mm
black or colour gravel cannot be used,
top and mid water swimmers show best in deeper tanks, for instance, 100x100x150mm high.
many Angelfish lose marks for finnage because they cannot fully display in shallow tanks.
Disqualifications:
FBAS judges are there to judge fish-not disqualify them,
FBAS judges may be lenient towards minor infractions but not to those involving the welfare of the exhibit,
undersize tanks will be disqualified,
heavily gravid females should not be shown, and will most likely be disqualified,
if eggs or young are found in with an exhibit it means instant disqualification.
Complaints about Judging
show organizers and judges will do their best to deal with all complaints before prize giving,
it is possible, before prize giving, for a fish or class to be re-judges if the Senior Judge agrees.
While Judging is Taking Place:
exhibitors cannot directly approach judges,
complaints must be made to the show secretary,
complaints should be made on a form provided by the Senior Judge,
the show secretary will pass on all complaints to the Senior Judge who will deal with them immediately,
exhibitors may be asked to put their case to the Senior Judge,
photography in the show hall is not allowed.
After Judging and Before Prize Giving
the end of judging will be announced to the exhibitors,
this is the exhibitors last chance to have his complaint dealt with on the day,
during this period, judges can be approached directly,
judges will be pleased to deal with complaints,
judges will be pleased to give out help and advice,
very few exhibitors respond to 'See Judge' stickers,
photography is allowed in the show hall with the show secretary's permission.
After Prize Giving
complaints have to be made in writing to the FBAS Judges and Standards Committee,
most benching arrangements are too low for the fish to be judged properly,
most benching arrangements are not long enough to allow the exhibits in a class to be placed in a line.
exhibits benched in clumps disadvantage those exhibits in the rear,
a class is benched on both sides of a table give on set a fish an advantage over the others, 
fish benched with the sunlight behind them become transparent and get very low marks for colour,
fish benched with the sunlight behind them reflect the light and get the best marks for colours,
benching with light coloured tops wash-out the fish's colour because of the harsh reflection,
no one has ever complained about poor benching arrangements,
fish which are difficult to see do not get the best possible marks.