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Re: [Killietalk] Another view on show participation
*"Bill Shenefelt" <william_shenefelt at verizon.net> wrote:*
I never much got into showing fish. In the occasion I bid on a "Show
fish" it is usually with fair confidence that I have a short while and
not a great chance, of getting eggs prior to the fishes demise. Not
due to poor condition or old age, just due to the fact that mature
organisms are less adaptive.
Bill,
I, too, do not show very much.
Take one of your best, most promising specimens, rear him alone to
develop the best finnage. Wait till he gets fully mature (at an age at
which he won't easily adapt to new surroundings and new water and new
food), bag him for a few days, dump him in a tank with unknown water
(or bring your own so he will at least know his water for the few days
of the show), then auction him with a female to someone who may have
hopes to breed him in new surroundings, new water, and new food at
probably a new temperature after another day or two in a bag. Does not
seem to me to be the way to go. Oh yes, don't let anyone know where he
came from until long after the fishroom sale so there is little chance
of getting a younger, more virulent and adaptive fish known to be from
the same lineage, unless somehow you can track down the breeder to see
if he or she has others available for sale or trade. .
In most "show animals" part of the incentive is to show a highly
prized specimen beyond a pile of trophies is that the animal was used
as a sire with offspring, or younger siblings to in a way forecast the
quality and value of these offspring. With the AKA shows it is more a
"Look what I have raised" and you may or may not see how good a
species could look had you access to the fishes line and the talent
and efforts of the individual donating the fish. Most of the show
"losers" possibly due to young age and underdeveloped attributes are
better more attractive at auction to me at least.
You seem to show a profound misunderstanding of the judging process,
which I have done a lot.
Don't get me wrong, those who submit show fish are not to be belittled
as they are sacrificing good fish to demonstrate the potential
appearance of a species. I personally would be willing to sacrifice
the assurance of judge impartiality and post the submitters name for
credit as people view the fish. As I have not participated much in
showing, maybe those who do show significant numbers of fish might
care to comment. Maybe the added incentive of some "publicity" of the
quality of their efforts would increase the quality and quantity of
fish in shows?
You need to understand that many (if not most) judges are looking for
breeding potential, far above unusual coloring or excessive size. I have
marked down fish for untypically large size or unusually gaudy coloring.
I have frequently put up younger fish that offered more downstream
potential for helping the hobby. Old, mature fish may be pretty, but
they are usually less likely to win over strong younger stock.
I realize there once were judges who mistook what we are doing with
killies with "the breeding of better pigs." Our objectives are to do as
little harm to the wild fish as we can, and not to create a "perfect"
specimen. Most judgements reflect that objective.
Fire way !
BANG! You're dead. :-)
Just my US$0.02.
Wright
--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
760 872-3995
Samuel Adams advised: "It does not take a majority to prevail...but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men."
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