Freshwater

Overall condition
Chapter 22: Competing in Fish Shows
Many physical factors can have a bearing on your entry’s final point score.
Judges look for an overall picture of perfection — a combination of many
individual physical traits. Even minor blemishes or irregularities can lose
points for your entry.
The scales on your fish’s body should be intact and in excellent condition. In
many species, scales form standard patterns. This must always be taken into
consideration. Scales should lie flat against the body, have a proper mucus
coating, and not protrude at odd angles. Gill covers should be straight and
preferably red in color, which is an indication of good health.
Your entry’s eyes must be clear and bright, and not clouded over or protruding
abnormally from the sockets. (If your fish looks like it has a hangover,
pack up and go home.) Your fish should be completely free from disease
because any sign of parasites, fungus, or other illness is just cause for an
immediate mark down on the judge’s score sheet.
Transporting Fish to and from a Show
Transportation safely to and from a show is important for your fish’s overall
health. You want to avoid stressing out or physically damaging your entry on
the way to the show so that it has the best chance of remaining happy and
healthy and can display its beautiful physical attributes to the best of its
ability.
The first thing to do when considering transportation is look at the distance
between your home and the show area. You need to give yourself plenty of
time so that you don’t have to rush to the show and hastily try to set up your
entry tank at the last minute. Always allow plenty of time in case something
should go wrong. Any unforeseen delay can become disastrous if you’re
forced to rush your entry in right before the judging begins.
Drive your route to the competition ahead of time so that you know exactly
how long it takes and what the road conditions are like. If the roads are
rough, plan on adding a little more cushioning to your packing box. Check the
predicted weather for the day of the competition, so that you’re prepared in
the event of heavy rain, extreme heat, frigid cold, or snow. These factors are
especially crucial on longer trips.
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