Editor: Alan De Angelo

Contact: [email protected]

To show or not to show, that is the question:

The hardest part about hosting an ACA Convention, according to what I have heard throughout the years, is having a fish show. The fish show portion of the event takes a lot of work, a lot of manpower, for many hours, and a lot of understanding on the part of the hotel. Racks need to be built, tanks need to be carried in, filled with water, air and filters supplied then water treatments need to be added and then, and only then can the fish be placed.

The easiest part of it all is bringing your fish to the show. Now, this may be stressful on both the aquarist and the fish. Some fish will be bagged for two days as they make their journey from fishroom to convention tank. On the other hand, aquarists often bring their prized possessions or their main breeder male to the show with the hope to keep it healthy and happy for the return trip home. That does not occur in some instances.

After the show, when the convention is winding down and the auctions are being held, that same dedicated crew of volunteers are busy draining tanks, rolling up airlines, handling the wet filters, packing the air compressor and dismantling the racks that held the tanks and dispersing the tanks, often through tank sales. It’s pretty much grunt work but it is the backbone of the fish show.

To those of you who may think that it is a thankless job, you are definitely wrong. The ACA knows the work involved and thanks those dedicated volunteers profusely. But here’s the kicker, all of this work can be one heckuva lot of fun. The camaraderie built doing tasks like this is immense. The sense of pride, even bigger. Many friendships are built by doing these tasks.

But some clubs that would like to host the ACA convention just don’t have the manpower to put on a fish show. These aren’t guppy or killie tanks/bowls we are talking about. Traditionally. the ACA has had fish shows at their conventions but not always. Do we ignore these clubs? We shouldn’t.

Also, if we look at the participation in the fish shows, it has been dwindling. Years ago, 200 or more fish entries were common, now, it can barely make 100 entries.

And the awards often go to unchallenged fish. Sure, you usually get 3-5 angelfish, a few discus to challenge one another but too many categories are single fish entries. Or, one person enters three fish in that category and wins all three awards. Are we really all that hopped-up on giving participation trophies like T-ball kids receive? The meaning of fish shows is getting lost.

Don’t get me wrong, most of the entries are truly fine specimens and the aquarists have raised great fish with tender, loving care but the competition is gone in most cases.

Should ACA conventions have fish shows optional? I am in favor of that and so is the thinking regarding the upcoming convention in San Antonio. The important thing about any convention is meeting up with friends old and new. Seeing people that distances keep us from seeing all year long. Having fun is paramount.

San Antonio 2025

The ACA Convention 2025 will be in San Antonio, Texas, June 12-15.

Accommodations will be at the Marriott Hotel with room rates being $135/night. Sounds like a great time right? Wrong, it’s going to be an extreme event or, since the event has not been named yet, I will name it:

The Big As Texas Aquatic Extravaganza

Now, while the actual organizers of the event may name it differently, my name fits.

This convention will include the ACA, ALA, AKA, Bettas (ibc?), FOTAS and will be hosted by the Hill Country Cichlid Club. Literally, something for everyone. Since the success of the Aquatic Triple Crown hosted by the Louisville Tropical Fish Fanciers, combination conventions have become more common. ACA and LTFF broke through the barrier of single vs multiple organizational conventions. What a great deal!

If you want to see fish, there will be numerous display tanks throughout the hotel and there will probably be sales tanks. I’m not sure about this though. But, I have heard that there will be a big swap meet, the BABES Auction, etc., etc., to fulfill your needs.

I do not have all the information as it is still early but as it becomes available, I will keep you informed.

Next year, maybe we can join up with the Aquatic Gardeners and really have a different mix. Of course, many cichlids are plant friendly, just not the usual ruffians most like to keep.

More to come … be good.

Alan

Nominations are closed for this year! But you can run for the ACA BOT and help to guide the organization next year. Send your short bio to Tim at [email protected].

Keep in mind also …

YOUR Buntbarsche Bulletin needs articles, articles, articles. The ACA even pays for them, too. Send all submissions to Daryl Hutchins our BB Editor at [email protected].

PS: Be sure to mark this event down in your calendar too: