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At the Show: The organisers must ensure that the hall is sufficiently heated for the comfort of the exhibits. They should also try to ensure that during benching, the fish are not subjected to undue cold draughts.

Care Area: The Show organisers will provide a suitable 'care' area for the use of exhibitors. With hot water, and an air supply on hand; also with some basic remedies on hand such as Stress Coat, White Spot Cure and Salt.
These should be available for exhibitors to use. However the onus is entirely on the owner to organise and administer any treatment should this be required for their exhibit. A Senior Steward is always on hand in the care area to advise and help.

Show End: At the time of de-benching, exhibits should be carefully repacked for the journey home.

 PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE FISH YOU TAKE IS YOURS

At Home: When you arrive home, carefully check all of your exhibits.
If they have cooled down slightly during the journey, allow them to get back up to the aquarium temperature gradually by floating them in a plastic bag in the aquarium, turn off the aquarium lights whilst doing this. After releasing the fish back into the aquarium feed all the fish it will enable them to settle down.

The Next Day: Carefully check all exhibits for signs of damage or disease, and treat accordingly.

ADDENDUM Further information on the Federation's Rules governing the exhibiting of Fish, Breeders Teams of Fish, Furnished Aquaria, and Aquascapes, together with judging procedures employed, can be found in the Federation's Constitution (Book 5).

Also available is the National Show Fish Size Sheets (Book 6), this lists the Classes fish should be entered into at a Show as well as a recommended maximum size for individual species of fish.

Both these are available from the Merchandising Officer (address HERE). Any one exhibiting fish for the first time are advised to obtain a copy before considering entering any Show.

However, do not be put off from exhibiting your fish. Show organisers and other fishkeepers showing their fish are only too willing to help first-timers. As there are no money prizes involved, much of the cut-throat competitive showing that is apart of other animal Shows does not occur at Fish Shows. It's more a fun day out meeting other fish people and exchanging ideas and information.

© FBAS 1998 PWC/RDE           Aquarium Management Care Sheet 9 2/2

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