Sunday 27^th March saw the first Open Show of 2011 and the first round of the 2011 Association of Aquarists SuperBowl Competition. The weather was fine and sunny and more than passably warm for the time of year. Given the changeable weather of recent years and snow fall recorded at the early events in 2010 anything was possible but the weather at Mytchett was definitely spring like and so much so that some window blinds had to be lowered and doors opened before judging started – not that the judges had a problem but more that the sunlight was too bright for some species in the Barb and Characin classes.

In spite of losing an hour’s sleep all exhibitors worked hard benching their exhibits and the Pink Elephant Café opened early keeping them supplied with teas, coffees and bacon butties. Judging started fairly close to time and, after the winter lay off, the judges worked with a will. The team was headed by Senior A of A Judge Chris Ralph who was assisted by Tim Chamberlain and Andy Pearce. Alan Dunne completed the line up: Alan is a qualified Guppy Association Judge and will hopefully shortly be upgrading to full Open Show Judge for the A of A.

The quality of exhibits was in general excellent with one or two particularly outstanding examples. Although it is sometimes hard to single out individual fish there was, on this occasion, no shortage of fish eligible for the Best in Show awards: Best in Show fish must be full show size and free from blemish or defect. Additionally it must be exhibiting well. With some species this is exceptionally hard to achieve as even a slight body graze or mild scale damage can deem an exhibit unsuitable for this accolade.

Best Fish in Show was judged to be a Brachyrhamdia marthae exhibited in Class 6 Catfish and owned by John Egan. This was an excellent example of this species. Second best in show was given to what was termed, in the judge’s remarks, a ‘stunning’ Angelfish exhibited by Terry Hewitt. In third place was a Botia histrionica, exhibited in Class 10b Botias also by Terry Hewitt.

Other exhibits worthy of particular mention were, in Class 5 Killifish, the Fundulopanchax gardneri of Peter Quested and, in Class 3b Rift Valley Cichlids, the Aulonocara baenschi from Terry Hewitt. There were also some species seen for the first time at our Show such as the Traccatichthys taeniatus in 10a Loaches and the Stiphodon ornatus in 11a AOV Egglayers. Another new species exhibited, and seen for the first time last year, was an Oryzias woworae in Class 5 belonging to Keith Sollitt. Making a welcome return in Class 21 Coldwater were the darter species Etheostoma caeruleum and the shiner Notropis lutrensis. In recent times we have seen very few North American fishes and, as Tongham was the home club of Dave Caesar who kept both of these attractive species, it was particularly fitting that they be seen again at this show.

Although Roy seems after this first round to have built a commanding lead I suspect that he will receive plenty of competition this year – some exhibitors were just testing the water and assessing the opposition!

Thanks to all who exhibited, to all the show team including the judges and also to our sponsors Aqua One, Porton and Tetra for providing our awards.

Another excellent Show!

Andy Pearce

Tongham Aquarists

Nannostomus marginatus

Yunnanilus brevis

Traccatichthys taeniatus

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