GSAS - Breeder Awards Program

by Dave Sanford

The Breeder's Award Program (BAP) is designed to encourage all hobbyists to spawn their aquatic pets. It is open to any member of the GSAS. Participants accumulate points for each different species or color form they are able to reproduce successfully. Species are grouped into 5 classes according to degree of difficulty. Species not listed will be credited and class assignment will be made on an individual basis by the BAP coordinator, and/or the GSAS Board.

Participants can earn five different levels of breeders awards. The highest level, the Master Breeder award, has additional levels awarded for each 100 points earned; resulting in Master Breeder Level 1,2,3 etc.

Points earned in all classes are cumulative. Only the first spawn of each species or color form will be awarded points.

Procedures

Participation is easy. You don't need to fill out forms, just report your spawns to the BAP coordinator at the meetings, or e-mail. While not required, it would be a good idea to invite another member to observe your fry. To qualify for points you should have at least 10 fry that survive in your tank for at least thirty days after they are free-swimming. For certain species fewer than ten fry might qualify for points at the discretion of the BAP coordinator. Have fun! Breed your fish, and share your experiences with your fellow hobbyists.

Regulations

1. Participants must be GSAS members in good standing.
2. Points will be awarded only once for each species or color form spawned.
3. Parents of fry must be owned by the member.
4. Fish not listed in the classification will be evaluated and assinged to a class by the BAP coordinator and/or the Board.
5. The BAP coordinator may alter any of the program regulations or classifications in order to maintain the quality of the program, or to resolve unforseen problems.

Award Levels

1. Novice, 25 points
2. Intermediate, 50 points
3. Advanced, 100 points
4. Senior, 200 points
5. Master Level 1, 400 points
6. Master Level 2, 500 points

Classifications

Class A -- 5 Points

Livebearers, Snails, Tanichthyes (White Clouds), Brachydanios, Convict Cichlids, Tilapia (mouthbrooding)

Class B -- 10 Points

American Flag fish (Jordanella), Brine Shrimp, Badis badis, Gouramis (large), Bettas, Paradise fish, Tilapia (non-mouthbrooding), Copeina sp., Angels, Mouthbrooding Cichlids, Pelvicachromis, A. cacatuoides, Easy & Intermediate Killies, Aquidens, Geophagus, Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, Rainbow fish

Class C -- 15 Points

Small Gouramis, Barbs, Advanced Killies, Corydoras, Crenicara, Oscars, Chocolate Cichlid, Chromides, Pencil fish, Microgeophagus, Apistogramma, Urau, Headstanders, Goldfish, Koi, Otocinclus, Nannochromis, Gobies, "Cichlasoma", Anomalchromis, Chromidotilapia, South American Cichlids, Gobies, Gudgeons

Class D -- 20 Points

Synodontis, Discus, Neon Tetras, Anableps, Hatchetfish, Cardinal Tetras, Silver Dollars, Pantodon, Marine Damsel fish, Glass fish, Archer fish, Ctenopoma, Chocolate Gouramis, Axolotl, Bumblebee Goby, Monos, Scatophagus, Leporinus, Sucker mouth Cats, Pike Cichlids

Class E -- 25 Points

Arowana, Eels, Knife fish, Loaches, Elephant Nose, Pirana Sharks, Seahorses, Knife fish