Bowl Show Rules

• All entries must be the contestant’s own fish.
• All bowls or tanks must have at least one flat side and be suitably covered to prevent fish from jumping out. Plants may be shown in air filled bags.
• Bowls/tanks are limited to 10 gal; however, never place a fish in too small a tank. If a larger tank is notify Bowl Show Chair. Entrants are responsible for bringing their own containers.
• The container must be bare bottom. No decorations or plants are allowed in the fish containers. Container backs maybe painted or covered with paper, foil, etc.
• Entries forms must be filled out entirely prior to judging. Attempt to locate a scientific name for each entry. If a scientific name is not available, use a common name. Find entry forms at the meeting or if you prefer to fill out entry forms prior to meeting, an online PDF version is here.
• There are two divisions. Senior division is an open division. Junior division is limited to 18 years old or younger at the start of the Bowl Show season. Bowl Show Chair will determine any questions concerning divisional entries.
• Show classes will be announced in the July/August AquaNews and are posted on the schedule tab for the entire bowl show season.
• There will be no changes in show classes during the show season. A possible exception is the bowl show chair determines a need for an additional class.
• Judging criteria may include size, condition, deportment, finnage, appropriate color, difficulty in maintaining; however, each judge is free to select their own criteria. However, a judge may decline to place a fish based on judging criteria.
• Judges will be selected by bowl show chair. If you would like to judge the bowl show, contact the bowl show chair.
• Sick or deformed fish will not be judged. Containers in violation of these rules will not be judged.
• A bowl show point (not a book point) is given to each entry, maximum three entries per month per person. These points are to encourage participation in the bowl show and to offer a potential reward to those who participate. These points have nothing to do with placing first, second or third.

Bowl show Points will be awarded as follows:

• Entering a fish or plant – 3 points
• Limit of 3 entries per month for points)
• First Place – 2 points
• Second & Third Place – 1 point
• Additionally, first, second and third place of each class will be awarded one book point.
• Classes listed as People’s Choice Voting will be decided by a popular ballot cast by any attending member of MAS. Ballots will be provided at the meetings.
• Points will be tallied and sent to the webmaster and editor of AquaNews monthly.
• Bowl Show season runs from August through June.
• At the August meeting, the Senior division yearly points leader will be awarded a $100 Gift Certificate to a Local Fish Store (LFS). Second place in the Senior Division will be awarded a $50 Gift Certificate to a LFS. Junior division participants will be tallied separately and the yearly winner will also receive a prize. To be eligible for the yearly prize the winners must have participated in at least three different months.
• The decision of Bowl Show Chair is final.

New this year. The Virtual Bowl Show.
Can’t bring in fish each month? Take a picture and bring it to the Virtual Bowl Show.

Virtual Bowl Show Rules

• All photos submitted must be the entrant’s original work and show their own fish.
• All photos submitted must be at least 4 x 6 inches printed.
• Photos must not have been published previously in any fashion.
• Subject of the photos submitted must be of one of the classes in regular bowl show competition in the month submitted.
• Winning photos will be published in the Aqua News.
• All Virtual Bowl Show classes are a People’s Choice Vote.
• The Virtual Bowl Show class entries are eligible for all points of regular entries.
• Awarded points will be added to totals for yearly bowl show championship.
• A Yearly award for the Photographer of the Year will be awarded at the end of the season.