Fish loads

[carolyn swanson]

I obviously have nothing better to do than ponder things that probably don't matter to anyone else. There are three shows coming up in the next month or so. They have differing methods of figuring the fish loads. I was wondering what variables figure into the methods used. All three shows are outside and the climates are similar, same size tanks.

Show #1: size 6: 12 points, size 7: 18 points, should have less than 20 points, 25 max.
Show #2: size 6 (all over 24"): 12 points, 25 points max.
Show #3: Size 6: 20 points, size 7: 25 points, max load of 100 points.

I have no complaints, but a 28" fish would be all by herself at one show, could have one same-sized friend at a second, and three friends at a third.
At size 6, two of the shows would allow two per tank, the third five. I am used to being allowed to have four big fish per tank (choosing to have three max for their comfort): is there is new knowledge out there?

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by carolyn swanson I obviously have nothing better to do than ponder things that probably don't matter to anyone else. There are three shows coming up in the next month or so. They have differing methods of figuring the fish loads. I was wondering what variables figure into the methods used. All three shows are outside and the climates are similar, same size tanks. Show #1: size 6: 12 points, size 7: 18 points, should have less than 20 points, 25 max. Show #2: size 6 (all over 24"): 12 points, 25 points max. Show #3: Size 6: 20 points, size 7: 25 points, max load of 100 points. I have no complaints, but a 28" fish would be all by herself at one show, could have one same-sized friend at a second, and three friends at a third. At size 6, two of the shows would allow two per tank, the third five. I am used to being allowed to have four big fish per tank (choosing to have three max for their comfort): is there is new knowledge out there?

Show #3 seems to be about right for what I have seen, but the fewer Koli you have in a tank at a show the better.

[Bob Winkler]

Quote: Originally Posted by carolyn swanson I obviously have nothing better to do than ponder things that probably don't matter to anyone else. There are three shows coming up in the next month or so. They have differing methods of figuring the fish loads. I was wondering what variables figure into the methods used. All three shows are outside and the climates are similar, same size tanks. Show #1: size 6: 12 points, size 7: 18 points, should have less than 20 points, 25 max. Show #2: size 6 (all over 24"): 12 points, 25 points max. Show #3: Size 6: 20 points, size 7: 25 points, max load of 100 points. I have no complaints, but a 28" fish would be all by herself at one show, could have one same-sized friend at a second, and three friends at a third. At size 6, two of the shows would allow two per tank, the third five. I am used to being allowed to have four big fish per tank (choosing to have three max for their comfort): is there is new knowledge out there?

Perhaps the difference could be ascribed to differing methods of water quality "control"? i.e. flow through water change or combination? Depends on the show

[dick benbow]

I think some of the figuring is called error on the side of the koi. I'd never put a koi in a show by itself. they just don't do well. sides carolyn all you need is two...GC and RGC

[carolyn swanson]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow I think some of the figuring is called error on the side of the koi. I'd never put a koi in a show by itself. they just don't do well. sides carolyn all you need is two...GC and RGC

So true. I am coming around to that philosophy of planning (LOL).

I have several little fish that were bought to keep a large fish company in shows.

[MikeM]

I hope these are 8' tanks... 4 size 7 in a 6' tank would be a real challenge, even in a one day show! Bob is certainly correct that an individualized filter system/flow through could make a huge difference.

Personal observation: At 28" and up, two in a 8' tank do well and water quality is acceptable on the third day... if the fish have been appropriately fasted. It pushes the safety margin to have 3 fish that size in a 8' tank, but a small size fish or two can be added. If only 6' tanks are available, then 1 fish at 28" and a companion in size 4 or smaller seems to work. The guidelines are truly intended as maximums (not optimum) because without them some new to showing would overstock a tank terribly.

[mstrseed]

Our show it is also based on tank size:
Six foot tank capacity is 25 points and 40 points for eight foot tanks, our tanks are on a flow through system.

Size 1 = 1 point
Size 2 = 2 points
ect ect ect
Size 7 = 7 points
Size 8 = 8 points

[PapaBear]

I'm no expert by any means, but at the OKC show we run a carbon filtered flow through system with amquel metering on the entire system, individual air stones fed by a common header. The water quality in the tanks is excellent and an 8' tank with 4-5 large Koi has not been a problem.
Ray, Bob, Jan, Henry, Burt... you have all judged recently at OKC. Where does it become an issue for you to be able to judge easily?