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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Report on China Guppy Club Show, March 18-20, 2016

China Guppy Club Show,
March 18-20, 2016, Guangzhou China;
1st China – America Global Contest


© Alan S. Bias (4.4.2016)
Permission granted for nonprofit reproduction or duplication of photos and text with proper credit for learning purposes only.  All photos courtesy of China Guppy Club, unless otherwise credited.

Remember you can click on any photos to enlarge.

JUDGING TEAM
Pictured from right to left:  Alan S. Bias (USA), Wang Zuo wei “Wind” (China), Frank Chang (USA), Eddie Lee (Taiwan), Hwang zong (China), Tsen hwang-jei (Taiwan), Anshin Liu (Taiwan).

After what seemed like months of preparation fellow IFGA member Carl Groenewegen and myself set off on our two week tour of China and Taiwan.  The trip to Guangzhou, China itself comprised over 40 hours of driving, flights and layovers.  The return trip would be nearly 50 hours from Taipei, Taiwan.  Upon arrival in Guangzhou, China, we were greeted at the airport by my friend and president of the China Guppy Club Wang Zuo wei.  Better known to most Guppy breeders around the world as “Wind Wang”.

The next two days were comprised of a world-wind of tours to include YiDing Aquarium Factory and the world’s largest Aquarium Fish Wholesale and Retail Market.  YiDing produces over 100,000 handmade tanks in a multitude of configurations each year.  Many of which are seamless glass fronts, utilizing a heated process to bend the glass.  The live fish market covered many blocks and housed literally hundreds of vendors and shops.  The sheer volume of fish numbers and species in itself was staggering.  The overall state of health of the fish and reptiles leaves much to be desired when compared to what the average American is used to seeing in retail outlets.

At the conclusion of each visit owners would treat us to a sit-down with their favorite varieties of hot tea.  At midday a large meal and at the end of each day a dinner consisting of 10-15 dishes of local cuisine.  Over the course of a week we rarely had the same dish twice.

Fellow IFGA breeder and judge Frank Chang, who had left the States a week earlier to visit family in Beijing, China, joined us in Guangzhou the day before start of the show.  Thus, comprising International Fancy Guppy Association (IFGA) members in attendance as Carl Groenewegen (OH), Frank Chang (CA) and Alan S. Bias (WV).  The show itself being supported by entries from IFGA members:  Simeon Bonev (MI), Dr. John Flack (IL), Joe Mason (FL), Gary & Tim Mousseau (MI), Carl Groenewegen (OH), Frank Chang (CA) and Alan S. Bias (WV).

IFGA member contingency.  Pictured from right to left:
  Alan S. Bias (USA), Frank Chang (USA), Carl Groenewegen USA). Photo courtesy Alan S. Bias.

The China Guppy Club  show (an IFGA member club) was held in conjunction with the GIAS Aquatic Expo.  The size of the facilities were immense to say the least.  During the course of events I was informed that this event is actually the smaller of two held yearly.  With the larger being housed next door in a much large venue utilizing 4-5 five stories.  Show tanks were both individually lit and additionally from building overhead lighting.  Along with the Guppy Show,  a Betta and Skate / Ray shows were also held.  Additional to this were large events for turtles, snake, reptiles and spiders.  Numerous displays of Asian Arowana and Koi were also present.

One of the more frequent comments from attendees of the 17th World Guppy Contest held 2014 in Tianjin, China was the age of those attending the show.  I found little different at this event with the vast majority being in their 20's and 30's.  Interest in breeding guppies has never been greater.

Photos Alan S. Bias.

The show itself was to be judged under World Guppy Association Standards (WGA).  Any issues arising before, during and after judging deferred  to WGA standards when possible, and when not were addressed by local rules or Judging Team discretion.  For those with further interest in WGA standards here is a link to them:  http://www.world-guppy.org/wgc-category.html  (last checked 4.4.2016).

Prior to the start of the show all entries were sorted, logged and entered on show forms the night before.  The total number of entries for the show would slightly exceed 350 pairs, or 700+ fish.  At this time by consensus of the Judging Team it was decided to prejudge all entries before actual benching of entries the next day.  This occurred on the morning of Friday 3.18.16, and would reduce the average number of entries in each class from 20 to 10 or more.  Later in the day each judge would individually prejudge remaining fish in each class, selecting their preferred top three fish.  From the total votes for each class a total of four fish would be selected for final judging.

Final judging occurred during the afternoon, with each judge pointing in full, according to WGA standards, the top 4 fish in each of the 18 classes.  Each judge individually scored a total of 72 fish.  Only a couple of minor issues arose during judging and each was in the end resolved by consensus of the Judging Team.  Awards were given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each class.

Points were tabulated that night for both class placement and Best of Show (BOS).  High and low scores for each fish were excluded, and remaining scores were added together and divided by the number of remaining judges for an average score.  Best of Show was determined by the highest scoring pair from each of the class winners.  The point totals indicating a Crowntail male bred by 罗永雄 Luo Yongxiong (China) as winner of BOS.  Discussions were held by the Judging Team after concerns were expressed about a Crowntail being named BOS over delta entries.  According to best information this had not occurred in any prior shows.  A final decision was withheld until the next morning. 

The next morning the Judging Team held further discussion the the matter of BOS placement.  Consideration was given toward further judging all Class Champions against each other, along IFGA judging style.  In the end, by consensus, it was agreed to allow BOS standings to remain as indicated.  It being felt that each class winner had been judged to its own standard.  That to judge each class winner against another would only allow for individual breeder preferences to potentially bias the end result.  A sound decision on the part of all Judging Team members.

FIRST PLACE BEST OF SHOW (BOS)
Best of Show Crowntail male bred by 罗永雄 Luo Yongxiong (China)

I’d like to point out that this pair is now swimming in the tanks of Carl Groenewegen (USA).  Along with several other pairs gifted to him by breeder Luo Yongxiong after the show.

INITIAL MORNING PRE-JUDGING













AFTERNOON JUDGING


         





  






In final, I will take the liberty on behalf of IFGA members Frank Chang, Carl Groenewegen and myself, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our GIAS sponsors and host members of the China Guppy Club.  It was a genuine pleasure to represent not only the IFGA, but American breeders in general at this event.  Finally, to my friend Wind Wang, who approached me at the WGC in Tampa, Florida last year with an invitation to both attend and judge at this international event.   

            What follows are the final formal Show Results, and photos of each of the 18 class winners; 1st, 2nd, 3rd places.  It should be noted that many photos were taken after judging and do not give due justice to the males, as many delta’s were suffering from caudal breakdown resulting from un-aged water.   


CLASS WINNERS - 1ST, 2ND & 3RD PLACES

Class 1 – Blue Solid Delta 1st Place


Class 1 – Blue Solid Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 2 – Red Solid Delta 1st Place


Class 2 – Red Solid Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 3 – Half Black (Tuxedo) Delta 1st Place



Class 3 – Half Black (Tuxedo) Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 4 – Grass Delta 1st Place


Class 4 – Grass Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 5 – Mosaic Delta 1st Place


Class 5 – Mosaic Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 6 – Snakeskin Delta 1st Place


Class 6 – Snakeskin Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 7 – Albino Solid Delta 1st Place

 

Class 7 – Albino Solid Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 8 – Variegated Delta 1st Place


Class 8 – Variegated Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 9 – Others Delta 1st Place

 

Class 9 – Others Delta 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 10 – Swordtail Combined 1st Place

 

Class 10 – Swordtail Combined 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 11 – Roundtail 1st Place


Class 11 – Roundtail 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 12 – Special Tail (Largetail) 1st Place.  Photo by Alan S. Bias.


Class 12 – Special Tail (Largetail) 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 13 – Longfin Ribbon 1st Place

 

Class 13 – Longfin Ribbon 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 14 – Longfin Swallow 1st Place


Class 14 – Longfin Swallow 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 15 – Young Pair Solid Delta 1st Place

 

Class 15 – Young Pair Solid Delta 2nd and 3rd Place


Class 16 – Young Pair Solid Albino 1st Place



Class 16 – Young Pair Solid Albino 2nd and 3rd Place

 
Class 17 – Young Pair Variegated 1st Place


Class 17 – Young Pair Variegated 2nd and 3rd Place

Class 18 – Young Pair Variegated Albino 1st Place


Class 18 – Young Pair Variegated Albino 2nd and 3rd Place


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The hospitality and sincere nature of the Chinese people during our travels were in themselves well worthy of a trip to the other side of the world…

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