WELCOME TO THE 2026 BOWL SHOW.
WE NEED A TOTAL OF 30 CATEGORIES, THERE WILL BE 3-4 PER MONTH.

January (2026)

  1. Male Guppies
  2. New World Cichlids Under 5”
  3. Killiefish

February (2026)

1.  Old World Cichlids
2.  Swordtails
3. Female Guppies

March (2026)

1.  Male Betta Splendons
2.  Platies
3.  Aquatic Fern Plants

April (2026)

1.  Goldfish
2.  Freshwater Invertebrates
3.  Corydoras Type Catfish

May (2026)

  1. Female Betta Splendons
  2. Egglayer Pairs
  3. Aquatic Moss Plants

June (2026)

  1. Plecostomus
  2. Angelfish
  3. Livebearer Pairs

July (2026)

NO BOWL SHOW-PICNIC

August (2026)

  1. Sharks & Loaches
  2. Mollies
  3. Any Anubias Plant

September (2026)

  1. Suckermouth Catfish (No Plecos)
  2. Rainbow Fish
  3. Danios & Minnows
  4. All Other Anabantids

October (2026)

  1. Barbs
  2. Tetras
  3. Goodieds

January kicked off the new Bowl Show year with a bang.  There was a total of 27 entries from 7 different entrants.  Here are the results:

 

Class 1 – Male Guppies (14 entries)

  1. Dan & Karen Guman    Half Black Red
  2. Lisa Reel    Yellow Flame
  3. Maghan Kirk    Mutt Guppy             

Class 2 – New World Cichlids under 5” (6 entries)

  1. Colton Champ                Blue Ram
  2. George Hollister            Nanacara Anomala
  3. Dan & Karen Guman    Apisto Hongsli

Class 3 – Killiefish (7 entries)

  1. Don Guman       Applatius Singa
  2. Don Guman       Fundulapanchex Gardneri Gold
  3. Maghan Kirk     Clown Killiefish

 

Thanks to Larry Ayers for judging and congratulations to Don Guman for winning the monthly drawing.

I would also like to welcome Lisa Reel and one of our new members, Maghan Kirk, to the Bowl Show program

Here are the Bowl Show points totals so far this year:

 

Don Guman                    9 pts

Dan & Karen Guman    7 pts

Colton Champ                6 pts

Maghan Kirk                  4 pts

George Hollister            3 pts

Lisa Reel                         3 pts

Sue Everett                    1 pt

 

Here are the classes for February:

  1. Swordtails
  2. Female Guppies
  3. Old World Cichlids

 See you at the meeting.

 Karen (the Bowl Show Queen) Guman

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It’s Show Time!!! – Six Successful Tips   by David Ayres

David Ayres, YATFS member since its inception, and former judge from coast to coast within the 
what a seasoned judge looks for when evaluating your fish.

A) Is this fish mature size? – according to size standards in reference books
B) Is this fish in good color? – again, check pictures/description in book
C) Is this fish healthy? – shows no signs of disease; eating well; active
D) Is this fish in show condition? – no split fins; no missing scales; well fed
E) Does this fish show well? – “Type A” personality

2) DETERMINE THE CLASS YOUR FISH BELONGS IN
A) Read the show schedule of classes ahead of time.
B) Ask the show chairperson if you are not sure.

3) KNOW THE SHOW RULES
A) Read through the rules a couple of times to make sure you understand them.
B) Take your copy of show rules with you.
C) Double check as to tank requirements.

4) BRING YOUR OWN WATER
A) Fish often don’t react well to changes in water chemistry.
(They may even die in radically different  water than they are used to)
B) Have your own water conditioner on hand.
C) Bring a little more than needed in case you have to make an unexpected change.

5) HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO EXHIBIT THE FISH
A) Clean tank, background, and secure lid
B) Airline, valves, and airstones
C) Scissors and hole punch
D) Small siphon tube and clean, dry towel
E) Bucket and siphon for breaking down

6) BE A GOOD SPORT, HAVE FUN, AND GOOD LUCK!

A few reminders about the bowl show:

  • Make sure your bowl has at least one flat side for best judging.
  • Don’t forget to register so we know how to assign points.
  • Write down the variety on the registration.
  • Points are given as follows:
    1st place = 4 points
    2nd place = 3 points
    3rd place = 2 point
  • You get 1 point per category for entering if you place you get only awarded points.