The rules of USA Open Shows

  1. Except for breeders' teams, all fish to be shown can be obtained by the exhibitor at any time prior to the show.
  2. Show jars must be square or rectangular and constructed from clear flat glass. External bases may be painted black or plain black insulating tape. Bases may also be made from black glass.
  3. Only plain black insulating tape is to be used if show jar lids are required to be taped.
  4. Substrate in the show tanks may be of any natural medium, e.g., gravel, slate or sand. Unnatural substrate will not be judged.
  5. No tape or fablon type material is allowed inside the jar.
  6. Breeders' teams shall consist of four fish. Two males and two females shall be given preference in the final assessment. The fish must be a minimum of two calendar months old and no more than fourteen calendar months old.
  7. Breeders' teams of ten fish shall consist of ten fish. Five males and five females shall be given preference in the final assessment. These teams are to be shown in either one split tank or two single tanks with the males in one side and the females in the other. The fish must be a minimum of three calendar months old and no more than fourteen calendar months old.
  8. All breeders' teams must be bred by the exhibitor.
  9. Trios shall consist of three adult fish of one sex.
  10. Pairs shall consist of two adult fish - one male and one female.
  11. All exhibits must be owned by the exhibitor named on the entry form for that show.
  12. Judges who are officiating at a show will be permitted to exhibit in breeders' classes for the purposes of attaining a first bred achievement or a USA breeding certificate and for no other reason. Officiating judges must label the tank "FOR CERTIFICATE ONLY". The exhibiting judge will not be permitted to judge the class in which he or she is exhibiting.
  13. If an exhibitor cannot be present at a show his or her fish may be exhibited in their name by another party.
  14. A judge cannot officiate at a show where any member of their household or immediate family is exhibiting. The only permitted exception being when a member of the family or household is exhibiting a breeders' team for a certificate. The team must be labelled "FOR CERTIFICATE ONLY".
  15. No handles are allowed on jar lids e.g. marbles, cut glass etc. Lids must be completely flat.
  16. Exhibitors wishing to add the scientific name of their fish must use white labels stuck to the front of the jar at the top.
  17. The show manager should check all the exhibits before judging starts to allow for remedial work to be carried out by the exhibitor, time permitting.
  18. Any rule that has been seen to be broken by an exhibitor may lead to the entry not being judged.