"Hello fellow members. Our bowl show is for each of us to show off some of our fish. Maybe only a few of us are show offs. Maybe some of us are afraid to bring fish in to a meeting. Maybe some of us just do not know how to do it. We are going to explain how to do it here and now.
What is a bowl show? It is an opportunity for you to show off your most interesting, or most outstanding fish! Plants too!
We do not expect everyone to bring in fish each month. For the majority of members that is not possible. However, our club is blessed with a few generalists and they may actually have a fish to show each month. Even if a generalist does have a fish/plant in each class there is no reason to believe they should win month after month. The rest of us have truly outstanding fish that everyone wants to see, so bring them in please. The process of bringing in a fish is relatively easy. Obtain a suitable container (see rules), add tank water to container, catch fish, place fish in container, cover container with plastic or wrap and seal plastic or saran wrap with rubber bands or similar device. Drive to meeting. Place container on bowl show table. Use towel brought with to wipe any excess water from front of bowl. Fill out bowl show form and that is it.
In order to encourage members some rule changes have occurred. Here are the rules." . . . Bob Randall

1. All entries must be showperson's own fish.

2. All bowls or tanks must have at least one flat side and suitable covered to prevent fish from jumping out. Plants may be shown in air filled bags.

3. Bowls/tanks are limited to 10 gal; however, never place a fish in too small a tank. If a larger tank is required contact Bowl Show Chair. If a fish is shown, the container must be bare bottom. No decorations or plants are allowed in the fish containers. Container backs maybe painted or covered with paper, foil, etc.

4. Entries forms must be filled out entirely prior to judging. Attempt to locate a scientific name for each entry. If a scientific name is not available, use a common name. Find entry forms at the meeting or if you prefer to fill out entry forms prior to meeting, forms are at http://www.mn-aquarium.org.

5. There are two divisions. Senior division is an open division. Junior division is limited to 18 years old or younger at the start of the Bowl Show season. Bowl Show Chair will determine any questions concerning divisional entries.

6. Show classes will be announced in the July/August AquaNews and at http://www.mn-aquarium.org for the entire bowl show season. There will be no changes in show classes during the show season. A possible exception is the bowl show chair determines a need for an additional class.

7. First, second and third place of each class will be awarded one book point. However, a judge may decline to place a fish based on judging criteria. Judging criteria may include size, condition, deportment, finnage, appropriate color, difficulty in maintaining; however, each judge is free to select their own criteria. Judges will be selected by bowl show chair. If you would like to judge the bowl show, contact the bowl show chair.

8. A bowl show point (not a book point) is given to each entry with a maximum of four bowl show points per class per show person. These points are to encourage participation in the bowl show and to offer a potential reward to those who participate. These points have nothing to do with placing first, second or third.

9. Yearly awards for bowl show points will be given during August meeting. Yearly bowl show point winner will be drawn from a hat. A slip will be placed in the hat for each fish entered (up to four per month). Thus, someone with twice as many slips in the hat has twice the chances of winning. Senior division will be awarded a cash prize or a donated hard good item for highest and second highest points. Junior division winners will receive a 10 gal tank and filter.

10. Bowl Show season runs from August through June.

11. Sick or deformed fish will not be judged. Containers in violation of these rules will not be judged.

12. The decision of Bowl Show Chair is final.