What is an "All Species Show?" - There are many different types or species of fish. Some of the more common species include Catfish, Livebearers, Discus, Cichlids, Killifish, Betta splendens, Rainbow Fish, Barbs, Loaches, and many, many more. The show is considered an all species show because all these species and more will be on display. In fact the show has 33 different classes that will be judged.

How Do You Judge a Fish? - A panel of judges will judge the fish on seven different criteria: Size (appropriate to that species), Body Coloration (based on species standards), Body Condition, Overall Fin Condition (no fins that are ripped or torn), Fin Coloration (based on species standards), Deportment and Species Behavior Exhibited (Is the fish hiding in a corner or swimming around the tank), and How Hard is it to Raise this Species. The judges are past members of the society, local pet shop owners, and our guest speakers. First, Second and Third place trophies are awarded for each of the 33 show classes. The judging takes place on Saturday morning; that is why the show is not open to the public till Noon on Saturday.

How Will I Know if the Fish I am Looking at Won an Award? - The winners are kept a secret until they are announced during Saturday nights banquet. On Sunday the fish tanks will be marked showing what awards a fish has won.

Will I See Fish That I Can't See at My Local Pet Shop? - Yes. MAS members have many rare and seldom seen fish that will be on display. In addition many fish at the pet shop do not display the beautiful colors (because they are in bare tanks with 100s of other fish) and mature size that you will see at the show.

What Else Is There To Do at The Show? - We will be hosting free talks and demonstrations both days of the show. Members will have fish and plants for sale on Saturday. petSmart will be sponsoring a kids coloring contest both days. We will have a raffle for tanks, books, fish foods, and many other items. The best thing to do at the show is to talk to other people that enjoy fish and get your questions answered.

How Does The Coloring Contest Work? - petSmart has donated $200 in gift certificates. Kids under 12 color a picture of a tropical fish and then each hour at least one child will be chosen to win a $10 gift certificate.

What Other Prizes Can You Win? - Many local Pet Stores will have an entry form to win a $100 gift certificate. Pick up your entry form at participating pet stores, bring the completed form to the show, drop the form in the entry box, and at 2 pm on Sunday the winner will be announced. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to that pet store. The winner does not have to be present to win, but must bring the completed form to the show. MAS will also be sponsoring a raffle to help defray the cost of hosting the show. You can purchase raffle tickets and win many wonderful prizes donated by area pet shops and manufactures of wonderful aquarium products.

Can You Tell Me More About Your Speakers? - Oliver Lucanus was born near Munich, Germany, and has lived in Canada for the last 12 years. Presently he is the owner of a large tropical fish wholesale company, but his primary interest is to travel to exotic and remote places. He is currently working on several photo projects. Oliver has written many books and his articles and photographs appear often in Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine and Aquarium Fish Magazine. For more about Oliver visit: Belowwater.com/photography or Cichlidae.com/interview. Oliver will be giving a free talk on Friday night (MAS members only), A free talk open to the public on Saturday afternoon, and is the banquet speaker on Saturday night. We are honored to have Oliver join our 75th anniversary celebration.

Randy Carey is a very popular speaker at aquarium societies all over the U.S. We are fortunate that Randy is a member of the Minnesota Aquarium Society and has given many excellent presentations at our monthly meetings. Randy has been writing on aquarium related topics since the early 1990s. He writes for Tropical Fish Hobbyist (TFH) magazine. Being an accomplished aquarium photographer, Randy frequently provides the photographic illustrations for his articles. In January Randy leaves for a two-week expedition up the Rio Negro as part of Project Piaba. Randy will be giving a free presentation on Saturday afternoon about his trip. For more information about Randy visit: TwoWetHands.com or Characin.com. We are excited to be one of the clubs to host Randy's new presentation.

Milo Squires is the MAS member that we all turn to when we need help with our aquarium plants. Milo has propagated over 100 different types of aquarium plants. Milo's talk was such a big hit at last year’s show, we have asked him to return again this year. Milo will give a free demonstration on planting an aquarium on Sunday.

Another Reason to Attend The Show? - Everyone who attends the show will receive a free program with valuable coupons from area pet shops.

Can I Still Enter The Show? - Yes, we invite you to join the Minnesota Aquarium Society and participate in this year’s 75th Anniversary Show. Please explore our excellent website http://www.mn-aquarium.org for more information about joining MAS.

Do You Have Monthly Meetings? - General membership meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month (except July) at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Roseville. The church is located at the intersection of Hamline Ave and Highway 36. Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 pm and are free to attend. MAS also sponsors three auctions a year. Again check out our website for dates and times.

I hope I have answered all your questions about the show, but if not please send me an email at masshowchair@yahoo.com.

Hope to see you at this great, free family event!

                                           Mike Fries
                                       MAS Show Chair