How to send YOUR bettas to a show :)
Alright, so you've been breeding your bettas and you have some really nice ones. Whatever to do with them? Send them to a show!! It can seem like a daunting process, but rest-assured, it need not be difficult. Just take it one step at a time.
Selecting your show fish
First, select your show fish. David Spectre once told me, "Always send to a show. It's better on the bench than in your fishroom." There have been multiple times that I've been apprentice judging at a show and said to myself, "I have a fish at home that would have placed! ARGH!" Don't be afraid to send a fish if you are on the fence - you might be pleasantly surprised. Sending fish also supports the host club so that they can host even more shows in the future.
That said, do NOT send the fish that are key to your breeding program. Such fish are too valuable to lose in the (sometimes unreliable) postal system. Hand-carry in your fish if you possibly can, or have a friend take them for you. Sometimes I will risk my favorite fish at a home show because I can keep an eye on them. However, showing a fish is stressful to them. There are sometimes big differences in water parameters, and the fish are shuffled about during judging. The best show fish take all of this in stride, but some fish (remember, individual personalities) will be more stressed out than others. |
A good show fish conforms to the official standards. I show at International Betta Congress shows, so I must conform to the IBC standards. I highly recommend going over the class standard that your fish might place in. Check especially for severe faults- major, minor, and slight faults are the ones that most often determine a placing in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Even if a fish has a single major fault, I would still consider sending. The fish should have good form (according to their class standard), clean fins and scales in superb condition, good color, and , most of all, a great (ferocious!) attitude. Prior to showing, I always flare-train my fish for at least a couple weeks before hand to get them used to flaring on command at the show. It is very difficult to judge a scared fish lying on the bottom.
If you have a form or color that is not currently recognized by the official standards, send them into variations! This is how judges keep abreast of new developments and allows them to configure the standard every year. I, for one, hope to help initiate a crowntail plakat class in Area 1, similar to Area 2. The new classes will only be considered if there are enough people breeding them, so send them in!
One last thing - some shows have classes for wild bettas as well! Showing wild bettas brings much needed public awareness. Many people that visit betta shows are not only interested in the domestic show strains, but also in the wild type bettas. There can be a lot of crossover into other fish hobbies (for example, many killifish people are very interested in the small mouth-brooding bettas). Since shipping is especially stressful on wilds, it is common practice to send wild-types one-way to the show, where they can be distributed at the auction. This is great for maintaining these beautiful and rare fish, many of which have severe habitat loss and are endangered in the wild. Keep in mind that big wilds might need BIG bags!
If you have a form or color that is not currently recognized by the official standards, send them into variations! This is how judges keep abreast of new developments and allows them to configure the standard every year. I, for one, hope to help initiate a crowntail plakat class in Area 1, similar to Area 2. The new classes will only be considered if there are enough people breeding them, so send them in!
One last thing - some shows have classes for wild bettas as well! Showing wild bettas brings much needed public awareness. Many people that visit betta shows are not only interested in the domestic show strains, but also in the wild type bettas. There can be a lot of crossover into other fish hobbies (for example, many killifish people are very interested in the small mouth-brooding bettas). Since shipping is especially stressful on wilds, it is common practice to send wild-types one-way to the show, where they can be distributed at the auction. This is great for maintaining these beautiful and rare fish, many of which have severe habitat loss and are endangered in the wild. Keep in mind that big wilds might need BIG bags!
Filling out the Entry Form
Next, filling out the entry form. This can be a bit tricky, but just take it step by step. Refer often to the official standards and the CURRENT class list. Be sure to check over the show information - sometimes registration fees can vary show to show. Remember to send the registration fee money, either through PayPal or as a check in your shipping box!
Packing your fish for transport
First, find a nice insulated box. The best ones are single molded unit with a tight fitting lid. I am very lucky because my work has a lot of spare shipping boxes for laboratory reagents. You can also easily make a box using inch-thick styrofoam purchased at a hardware store and cut to size. Make sure the styrofoam walls fit very tightly inside the cardboard box for best insulation.
One thing I loved about the show I attended in Germany is that European breeders nearly always hand-carry their fish to the show. This is largely due to restrictions shipping animals over country borders. I also loved the reusable jars and containers that were used - even water bottles! It made packing and unpacking fish SO much easier. If you can create a system that doesn't use bags, do it. Bagging fish SUCKS. If I can't personally hand-carry the fish, I try to ask a friend that is traveling to the show to take them for me. Plus, you can save a lot on shipping ;) You can even take your fish in your checked luggage if you are flying into the show - just pack the fish as your would shipping, put them in a nice thick styrofoam box, and pack them in among your (dirty) laundry. I've done this several times, and I have never had a problem with it. I've even checked in fish from Germany to San Francisco! |
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If there is no possible way that you or a friend can hand-carry your fish to the show, then you will have to bag your fish for shipment through the postal service. Amy and Joe Bacerra made a nice video on how to bag fish (below). I prefer to use a net when bagging at home - I'm so clumsy that fish end up in the sink if I don't use a net. Another thing I do differently is I use a small cup that has 1/3 cup of water marked on the side, and fill all of my bags with the same amount of water. (I might make a video in the future on how I personally bag my fish...) It follows Murphy's Law: the best fish will be the one that jumps out of the bag.
*Note* if bagging in a large sink (like I do) be SURE to have something plugging up the drain. Nothing makes you cry worse than a good show fish ending up in the drainage pipes.
DO NOT FORGET:
- Extra bags (enough for double-bagging return trip)
- Copy of registration form
- Return shipping label
- Extra heat pack (if shipping in weather less than 50F)
- Check for registration fees (if you aren't going to PayPal it).
Put all these in a big ziplock bag to make sure they don't get wet (just in case a bag should leak or the box goes through rain).
*Note* if bagging in a large sink (like I do) be SURE to have something plugging up the drain. Nothing makes you cry worse than a good show fish ending up in the drainage pipes.
DO NOT FORGET:
- Extra bags (enough for double-bagging return trip)
- Copy of registration form
- Return shipping label
- Extra heat pack (if shipping in weather less than 50F)
- Check for registration fees (if you aren't going to PayPal it).
Put all these in a big ziplock bag to make sure they don't get wet (just in case a bag should leak or the box goes through rain).
Figuring out postage
My favorite life hack of all: USPS Click-n-Ship. I passionately hate long lines at the post office, and my local PO is particularly...strange. Using Click-n-Ship is the best thing since Indian Almond Leaves for bettas.
I have had great success using the USPS Priority shipping option (shipment in 2-3 days with tracking). My shipments nearly always get to their destination within 2 days, and it is so much cheaper (usually about 1/3 that of Express or Overnight shipping). However, I do live in San Francisco, right next to the main sorting facility of USPS. For folks out in more rural areas, it might be worth the extra cash to pay for Express or Overnight shipping. You might even elect to send via UPS or FedEx if you have really valuable fish. I don't ever send fish that I would cry over if I lost them (well...perhaps a sniffle or two). There are enough horror stories of lost packages to keep me wary. Remember, shipping fish to a show is hazardous. Anything can happen.
I use the PayPal Multi-Order Shipping tool. If you don't have a PayPal account, get one. It makes things SO much easier to pay registration and receive auction winnings. Plus, those auction winnings can easily be spent on online fish supplies, future shipments...or perhaps a new AquaBid fish as a present to yourself for a show well-done?
I learned how to use the PayPal Multi-Order Shipping tool from the Basement Bettas website, but I just can't seem to find the original instructions. So I will put what I do here:
- Make sure you are using FireFox or another compatible browser. In my experience, Google Crome doesn't work for this site. Also turn-off any pop-up blockers you may have.
- Log in to your PayPal
- Type in the Search menu "Multi-Order Shipping". From now on, this link should be available to you on the main page of PayPal.
- Open the tool and a new page will pop-up. Select "Create new order". Select your shipping option of choice and enter in your relevant shipping information. Make sure you are sending it to the correct address! Double-check the show shipping information!
- Save, pay, and print. This will be your OUTGOING shipping label, the one you tape on the outside of your box. (Use clear shipping tape).
I have had great success using the USPS Priority shipping option (shipment in 2-3 days with tracking). My shipments nearly always get to their destination within 2 days, and it is so much cheaper (usually about 1/3 that of Express or Overnight shipping). However, I do live in San Francisco, right next to the main sorting facility of USPS. For folks out in more rural areas, it might be worth the extra cash to pay for Express or Overnight shipping. You might even elect to send via UPS or FedEx if you have really valuable fish. I don't ever send fish that I would cry over if I lost them (well...perhaps a sniffle or two). There are enough horror stories of lost packages to keep me wary. Remember, shipping fish to a show is hazardous. Anything can happen.
I use the PayPal Multi-Order Shipping tool. If you don't have a PayPal account, get one. It makes things SO much easier to pay registration and receive auction winnings. Plus, those auction winnings can easily be spent on online fish supplies, future shipments...or perhaps a new AquaBid fish as a present to yourself for a show well-done?
I learned how to use the PayPal Multi-Order Shipping tool from the Basement Bettas website, but I just can't seem to find the original instructions. So I will put what I do here:
- Make sure you are using FireFox or another compatible browser. In my experience, Google Crome doesn't work for this site. Also turn-off any pop-up blockers you may have.
- Log in to your PayPal
- Type in the Search menu "Multi-Order Shipping". From now on, this link should be available to you on the main page of PayPal.
- Open the tool and a new page will pop-up. Select "Create new order". Select your shipping option of choice and enter in your relevant shipping information. Make sure you are sending it to the correct address! Double-check the show shipping information!
- Save, pay, and print. This will be your OUTGOING shipping label, the one you tape on the outside of your box. (Use clear shipping tape).
- Next, your RETURN shipping label, the one you will include inside that ziplock bag I told you to have earlier. If you noticed when creating the outgoing shipping label, PayPal automatically fills in the originating (return) address. So that means you can't change it for sending fish to yourself. The big hack is this: select "Originating ZIP Code (if different)" and enter the ZIP code of the show shipping address. Yes! - Pay and Print your labels, making sure to keep your tracking numbers. You can check on the USPS website where your box is at any given time. Make sure you have everything you need in the box, and seal it up. Just drop it off at the counter at your post office (no waiting in line necessary) and you're done! Now the hard part - waiting for the results! |
Judging
Judging is a long and exacting task. Don't be upset if judging takes all day - sometimes evaluating 300 fish takes 7 hours! Judges are assigned several classes, and are frequently paired up in small groups for class judging. Next, the first place winners of each class compete for Best of Variety judging. These are the best of the longfin Halfmoons, Shortfins, Doubletails, etc. Lastly, the BOVs compete for the coveted Best of Show. Literally the best of the best, these fish are fantastic specimens and often slight faults come into play. You should be extremely proud if your fish win BOV or BOS!
Below is a wonderful video of David Spectre showing me how to judge a female doubletail class. He was incredibly patient with me and I learned a lot. Notice that he constantly refers back to the standards and keeps all fish in consideration, even when he has selected his first choice winners. Often judges consult one another when they have a tricky fish or a question about interpretation of the standards. |
Judges that also have fish in the show are not allowed to judge classes in which their fish are entered. The show chair and head judge make sure that judges do not judge classes that have their own fish. Such judges are also excluded from BOV and BOS placing. This ensures the integrity and ethics of unbiased judging remains intact.
Returning fish home from the show
Your fish have shown their hearts out, and you've probably heard the (hopefully good!) news from the show. The host club will pack your fish for their return trip. Hosting a show takes a LOT of effort and some selfless volunteers. They will notify you when your fish have been shipped out, and you can of course refer to your tracking number as well. Once your fish return home, give them the best food and care - they've earned it! I would probably not send the same fish to consecutive shows, just to give them a break. Often I will have two strings of show fish that I alternate. Hand-carried fish are another matter - they can easily be sent to consecutive shows because they only go a couple days without food and are treated gently, in comparison to shipped fish which must endure over a week without food plus some handling by mail carriers.
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Some judges will leave comments on your results sheet, which are very helpful for figuring out which fish conform best to the standard and where to alter your breeding program. Better yet, talk to a judge after the show. Realize that judges are often tired out after a long and hard session of judging, and probably won't remember every fish they judged. It's best to actually be at the show and ask the judge to return to a class so that they can be refreshed as to which fish you are talking about. Best best is to actually help out "running" at a show - you can follow a judge around and listen to their comments while they are judging! This is how I became interested in becoming an apprentice judge myself.
I hope that you consider sending your fish to a show! It really is a wonderful experience. Remember, "It's better on the bench!"
I hope that you consider sending your fish to a show! It really is a wonderful experience. Remember, "It's better on the bench!"