Re: [Killietalk] Another view on show participation

["Bill Shenefelt" <william_shenefelt at verizon.net>]

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.
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.
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?
Fire way !
Bill Shenefelt
http://sheneskillies.com/ 


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