AAGB

Anabantoid Association of Great Britain

Guidelines for AAGB fish shows

UPDATED MAY 2025

• Importance of AAGB Fish shows

The AAGB fish show provides an opportunity for the members and visitors to see a wide variety of anabantoid fishes, including many rare and unusual species.   Specimens on show are typically the best examples of their species.

Additionally, these shows provide a forum for specialist aquarists to share their fishkeeping skills in the husbandry and breeding of anabantoids.

Showing fish recognizes the huge achievement of the aquarist who can demonstrate that they have provided the best environment for their fish and expertise in maintaining and often breeding them. 

The show is a competitive event. Fish are judged according to a point-system, based on a strict set of standards that prioritize the overall health of the fish on display, as well as the fish’s size, deportment, colour and finnage.  Prizes awarded accordingly. 

• Fish health and welfare at shows

The AAGB is committed to providing a safe environment for all the fish on show as well as those for auction.  However, the decision to bring fish to the event remains the responsibility of the owner.

The welfare of the fish is at the forefront of these guidelines and AAGB members are expected to follow them. Failure to do so will result in the member being asked to remove their fish from the show.

An experienced AAGB member will be identified at each meeting to oversee fish welfare at both shows and auctions.

• The fish must be in good health and free from disease and exhibiting normal behaviours. Any fish that is in poor health or exhibiting signs of stress (including female fish that are heavy with spawn) will be disqualified.

• Duty of care – Head Judge

He/she will judge fish entered into the show in accordance with the AAGB judging standards. The judge’s decision is final.

• Duty of care- Show Secretary, Fish welfare officer
• Fish entered into the show will be inspected to ensure they are free from signs of disease or physical damage, and the temporary containers (e.g. show tanks) must offer adequate space for the fish to move freely and exhibit normal behaviours.
• Any fish that are in poor condition (see criteria in section 2, above) will not be judged and will be returned to the owner.
• The AAGB will have a ‘Fish First Aid’ box available (which includes basic water testing kits and medications) should this be necessary.
• Failure to follow the above guidelines may result in the fish being removed from the show.
• Fish can only be viewed at set times before and after the show, as determined by the Head Judge / Show Secretary – this is in order to minimize disturbance and possible stress to the fish.
• Any fish knowingly included in the DEFRA list as a banned species will NOT be allowed in the show.

• Duty of care – exhibitor

The exhibitor must follow the show guidelines

• AAGB Guidance for Showing fish
• All exhibits must be shown in clear flat, four-sided tanks. Tanks should be fitted with a secure lid to prevent escapes
• All exhibits must be able to be viewed from all four sides and above (single fish classes only)
• Tanks may not be sub-divided unless showing pairs or breeders teams.
• Tanks may contain natural or coloured gravel or have a painted base.
• Tanks must not contain rock-work or similar decoration.
• Tanks may contain a minimum amount of natural aquatic plant (not plastic or artificial) that is considered necessary to encourage fish to deport and to reduce stress.
• Tanks must be of adequate size and not be detrimental to the fishes well- being.
• The water conditions in the tank must fall within the fish’s optimal range. The water must not contain artificial colourants or be clouded by food or other particulate matter. However, for those species that require “black water” conditions, this is allowed for the welfare of the fish.
• All tanks must be labelled with the scientific or common name of the exhibit.
• All fish to be exhibited in owner’s name
• More than one fish shown in a tank in the single classes will be disqualified (e.g. a mouth-brooding fish with fry)
• Pairs shall consist of one male & one female of the same species. They may be shown together or in a divided tank or in separate adjacent tanks, according to the exhibitor’s preference.

• BREEDERS TEAM SHOW RULES

The duties of care for both the Show Secretary, Fish welfare officer and duty of care for Exhibitors shall apply equally to the breeders exhibits.

• All fish must be the property of, and have been bred and reared by the exhibitor.
• The date of hatching must be clearly stated on the tank. For mouthbrooders date released by parent should be given.
• All fish must be at least 3 calendar months old.
• The exhibits shall be termed as a team and shall consist of six (6) fish in any combination of sex, 3 matched pairs being given precedence when points are equal.
• The exhibits may be shown in one tank or in divided tanks (each tank may have only one division), or in separate adjacent tanks (containing one fish per tank, for example 6 small tanks side by side as a group) according to the exhibitor’s preferences.

Awards and prizes

Recognition will be given to

• Best in Show is the fish gaining most points from the single fish classes

• Best Exhibit comes from all classes, except the single fish classes.

• Members Favourite Fish is chosen by all the members present at the meeting, the fish gaining the most votes will be declared the winner.

Other prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the Judges and committee.