Swordtail Guppies: August 2016

19th World Guppy Contest (WGC), Vienna Austria

August 22-28, 2016

© Alan S. Bias

Permission granted for nonprofit reproduction or duplication of photos and text with proper credit for learning purposes only.

August 12, 2016

Metallic Blond Bunt Lowersword, bred by Alan S.Bias

Do you breed and maintain Guppies to any set standard found around the world? If so, you should consider the opportunity that exists this month in Vienna, Austria. As a breeder you have the chance not only to exhibit your strain, but also introduce yourself and in turn promote your breeding program at a true world level. In doing so, you will find a place for strains that commonly fit into accepted classes in North America, and those that don’t.

The 19th World Guppy Contest (WGC) is a show that goes beyond local, state, regional and national level competition. It makes a sincere attempt to encompass set standards found among established Domestic Guppy breeding associations worldwide. WGC shows are geared to accept an array of Guppy color, pattern, and finnage phenotypes.

WGC shows, sponsored under the auspices of the World Guppy Association (WGA) traditionally occur only once a year. The WGA relies upon the volunteer efforts of a governing board comprised of elected officers, delegates, host clubs, judges and most importantly breeders from around the World for support in this annual event.

1996: 01. WGC, Osaka/Japan

1997: 02. WGC, Nuremberg/Germany

1998: 03. WGC, Milwaukee/USA

1999: 04. WGC, Rio de Janeiro/Brasil

2000: 05. WGC, Vienna/Austria

2001: 06. WGC, Prague/Czech

2002: 07. WGC, Nuremberg/Germany

2003: 08. WGC, Santos/Brasil

2004: 09. WGC, Milwaukee/USA

2005: 10. WGC, Taipei/Taiwan

2006: 11. WGC, Prague/Czech

2007: 12. WGC, Brasilia/Brazil

2009: 13. WGC, Ferrara/Italy

2010: 14. WGC, Belo Horizonte/Brazil

2011: 15. WGC, Boston/USA

2012: - No Show

2013: 16. WGC, Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia

2014: 17. WGC, Tianjin/China

2015: 18. WGC, Tampa/USA

2016: 19. WGC, Vienna Austria

IFGA Green Delta

In the early 1970’s as a young Guppy breeder one of my favorite publications was Portrait Of The Guppy (1967), By Larry Konig. I have read this publication many times over since that time, and occasionally pull it out, though these days in digital .pdf format, for a quick glance.

From this publication I was made aware of the early diversity in Guppy phenotypes, emerging genetic knowledge, and more importantly the existence of clubs at the local and national level. Though living in a remote region, by US standards, it would be a number of years before I became associated with the International Fancy Guppy Association (IFGA), successor to the American Guppy Association (AGA). Starting in the late 1950’s members of the AGA put together initial standards for showing Guppies. From which, the IFGA, later expanded upon and periodically updates into current North American standards.

Of all the topics covered in Konig’s publication, several comments in his final page of review have stood out in my mind through the years.

First, he made a comment, “not everyone who has been successful is willing to help his or her fellow hobbyist. That is human nature and we’ll just have to grin and bear it.”

Second, “it is no crime to be stumped by a question, but it is very unfair to pass along improper information.”

Third, “this is a wonderful hobby, especially when shared with our friends. But the easiest way to lose friends, and for the Society to lose members, is by misinformation. It leads to a loss of interest by the affected persons.” [emphasis added].

Forth, “we are doing better each year, due to the fact that more and more people are breeding and experimenting with stock from the best breeding strains available, and are often willing to share their good results with fellow hobbyists.” [emphasis added].

Entry of your stocks in WGC competitions not only garners recognition of your breeding efforts, it offers breeders around the world an opportunity to continue and expand upon your results. At the completion of judging entries are auctioned or sold to attending breeders with a common interest.

Are you open minded and agreeable to accept results based on diverse standards and opinions of a group of knowledgeable breeder judges? Then help promote Guppy breeding within the constraints of an ever growing worldwide community of breeders, by considering the opportunity this show presents. Show your support as an independent North American or IFGA breeder by sending some entries to this truly unique and worldwide event.

There are no entry fees for entry in the 19^th WGC being held in Vienna, Austria from August 22-28, 2016. If you are interested in entering several of your fish that best exemplify breeding results, you may contact Frank Chang, Simeon Bonev or myself, Alan S. Bias. We will personally handle cost, transport and entry through Austrian Customs of your fish to Vienna.

But, you must make arrangements quickly and ship to one of us by the end of next week. All three of us may be contacted via Facebook messaging to make needed arrangements.