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BY: Ricardo Cervantes
All Photos by RCervantes 2005
Singapore or Chicago???
CLICK TO ENLARGE EACH PHOTO
Once again Tropical
Fish Industry Vendors, Hobbyists and Professionals gathered
on May 26-29th for the Aquarama 2005 held at the Singapore
Expo. It’s
known as the largest Ornamental Tropical Fish Show in Asia
with
a display area
covering 10,000 square meters and I think they may have underestimated!
This was the 9th such show and the largest so far. Over 230
Companies from
25
countries
were
displaying
all the latest gadgets, gizmos and “Fishy Stuff” that
makes our aquarium hobby just a bit easier and a bit more
beautiful. Aquarama 2005 was a TOTAL SELLOUT; they had to
close the vendor space
early
because
they
ran out of space, even though the venue at the Singapore
Expo is over 10,000 sq meters. In addition to the static
displays is the fish competition, this year there were categories
for Discus, Gold Fish, Guppies,
Swordtails, Platties, Mollies, Corydoras, Gouramies, Tetras,
Barbs, New Species/Varieties, Asian Arowana, and additionally
they held the 1st Singapore International Betta Competition
and the 1st International Marine Tank Display competition.
I’m telling you folks, it was absolutely stunning. If
you ever get a chance to attend one of these, do yourself a
favor and diit. This is an
event
not
to be missed.
I had
the fortunate opportunity to attend Aquarama this year and
was left without words to describe the beauty I saw that weekend.
On another plane it was not just by the event itself, but
by its
host city of Singapore. This "Garden City" is a wonderfully
mixed charm of Asian and European influences. It is meticulously
landscaped throughout the country and (this is my favorite),
with over
200 fish shops. This is a tropical
fish enthusiasts dream come true. By the way, Singapore is
by far one of the most beautiful and cleanest cities in the
world.
AROWANA
. . . the Fish Of The EAST! |
The Discus Competition had around 240 entries, and the Betta
Competition had Over 500 entries. I was able to find out
that there were over 1300 entries in all categories. A real
way to test your camera and your ability to store pictures!
Singapore
. . .THE OLD AND THE NEW
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Discus entries did not disappoint the attendees; Blue Diamonds,
Red Marlboros, Snake Skins and what seems to be a growing
favorite in recent years to both enthusiast and judges alike
has been consistently, the Red-Spotted Discus. While in Singapore
I was invited by my friend Mr. Lee Tong Juan to visit his
discus hatchery. Mr. Lee a well respected expert is Internationally
known to Discus connoisseurs as the originator of the “Singapore
Fireworks Discus”, a consistently multi-award winning
strain. That visit is for another story but Mr. Lee said
that his “Singapore Fireworks Discus” has
no Leopard lineage at all. He developed this strain by selectively
crossing very fine line Snakeskin Discus with Wild Red-Spotted
Greens. I asked
what are the distinguishing characteristics compared to a
normal Leopard Red-Spotted Discus. He explained that his “Singapore
Fireworks” have very fine Red-Spot’s covering
the entire body to include the gills and they have Red Eyes.
Additionally they have snake skin patterns around the gill
covers. These are truly captivating I can foresee some “Singapore
Fireworks” in my inventory in the near future.
The Betta Competition Sponsored by Ocean Nutrition was filled
with the most Impressive varieties I have ever seen in one
place. The sheer number of entries was a sight to behold
for starts. There were 2 display walls each having 18 sections
and each
section having 18 tanks, WOW. The winners were truly World
Class, and the Betta Club Singapore invited the International
Betta Congress to this Aquarama to train and certify their
Judges. Varieties in the competition included, Half-Moons,
Marbled,
Cambodian Butterflies, Crown Tails, Double Tails, Deltas,
Super Deltas, Round Tails and Plakats. It is amazing what
the Betta breeders of the world have developed over the years
by selectively breeding this Siamese
gem of a fish.|
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The Gold Fish Competition was another favorite of the crowds
and this is easy to understand as the goldfish has a long
history in Asian
culture.
An outstanding lineup of entries was to be seen at this years
Competition. Varieties included Bubble-eye, Celestial, Lionheads,
Ranchu, Celestial and other types I have never heard about. The Guppy Competition was "mind-blowing" . . . the Swordtails
were outstanding . . . the platties superb . . . the Mollies,
the corydoras, the Asian arowana . . . WOW, this event
was really something! Folks again I need to tell you that
this is one event that you should try and attend if at least
once
in
a lifetime.
But this wasn’t the end of the competitions in the
show. There were the marine tank exibitions/competition.
There were just over 2 dozen entries, with some competitors
coming
from as far away as the Philippines, Taiwan and Israel.
All the tanks, filtration and lighting were identical and
provided on site by the event sponsors, "The Singapore Reef
Club". The competitors had to bring everything that
went inside the tanks; this way judging was kept to the tanks
content.
My hats off to all of the contestants. I can just imagine
the logistics for this event. I, having personally entered
many aquariums competitions in the past, understand the nightmare
in setting up and decorating
a tank, be it freshwater or saltwater . . . the keeping your
fingers crossed and hoping that it doesn’t
crash. Every one of the tanks at this competition are winners
in my book. The corals, the fish, the anemones, the imagination
and planning that went into this whole deal . . . outstandin.
This is the biggest fish Event in the world, and one I will
continue to attend as often as I can. Now I am going to give
you a real eyefull. Sit back and enjoy!
Thank you Singapore . . . and Ricardo! |
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