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Breeder Award Program

Rules Outline

Hill Country Cichlid Club Breeders Award Program

Goals

The purpose of implementing a breeders award program within the membership of our club is primarily to recognize the accomplishments of individual hobbyists in regards to their efforts in the propagation of the fish they keep. Reproduction of captive bred cichlid and catfish species inevitably eases the pressure on wild animals that are taken for the aquatic hobby. The information with regards to housing requirements and breeding techniques enables other hobbyists to share in the success of the breeder. The donations of information and animals will go directly to the Hill Country Cichlid Club for dispersal as the membership sees fit.

Fish Eligibility

For the time being, only cichlids and catfish will be included in this program. In the future other families of aquatic life may be added.

Cichlids and Catfish will be organized by breeding difficulty level. "A", the first level, will be the easiest fish to propagate. "D" will be the extremely difficult with many "not yet bred in captivity" species. Category "B" and "C" will represent climbing difficulty levels. Fish will be tentatively set in related categories with revisions and inclusions as needed.

Point System

Successful spawnings of fish from class "A" will be awarded 10 points toward a member’s BAP standings.
Successful spawnings of fish from class "B" will be awarded 15 points toward a member’s BAP standings.
Successful spawnings of fish from class "C" will be awarded 20 points toward a member’s BAP standings.
Successful spawnings of fish from class "D" will be awarded 25 points toward a member’s BAP standings.

In order to be awarded BAP points, the breeder must complete a BAP form in hard copy and have it signed by a member of the BAP committee. The BAP submission is required 60 days after fry are free swimming. In addition, the breeder must complete one of the following:

1 - Present a written account to be published in the HCCC newsletter.

The written account is in the form of an article that is to be published in the Lateral Line. It will be due 60 days after fry are free swimming along with BAP submission. It should be informative, show creativity and have originality. The article should not only contain information about the species in its natural environment, but contain your observations on the species. This includes the parents, spawning, caring of the fry and the growth of the fry. The article should be directed to the attention of a novice person who is interested in the hobby and learning about the species.

Points received.

2 - Donate at least six fry (three fry in small brooding species) to the HCCC for auction.

Donation and availability of the fry will be 60 days after fry are free swimming and posted along with BAP submission. Points will be awarded at the time of BAP submission.

(2.a) If the species is listed as "Endangered", the member has the option to donate the fry to another member of his own choice and receive the points at the time of BAP submission. The receiving member does not have to pay the donation price as with other BAP.

(2.b) If the species is listed as "Endangered", the member can offer more than one group of fry to other members and receive an extra 5 point for each group. 3 - Donate the breeders to the HCCC for auction.

Donation and availability of the breeders will be 60 days after fry are free swimming and posted along with BAP submission. Points will be awarded at the time of BAP submission.

(3.a) If the species is listed as endangered, the member has the option to donate the breeders to another member of his own choice and receive the points at the time of BAP submission. The receiving member does not have to pay the donation price as with other BAP. Any member completing more than one requirement for the species in question, will be awarded an additional five points per task completed.

Any member who sells BAP available fry is eligible to receive 5 additional points if the fry sold, is raised and later produces BAP fry.

New members will be given the previous 3 months to submit BAP reports up to 3 entries.

Exceptions will be given to any breeder whose fry may not be suitable for sale at 60 days. One example would include Calvus, Compressiseps or any slow growing species.

Levels of Accomplishment

HCCC Spawning Award
This award is presented to any member's first spawning from any category with awardable points. This award is only presented once per member.

HCCC Breeder Award
This award is presented to any member successfully spawning any five different species with awardable points. This award is only presented once per member.

HCCC Advanced Breeder Award
This award is presented to any member upon reaching 200 points.

HCCC Accomplished Breeder Award
This award is presented to any member upon reaching 400 points with at least one entry in class “C” or higher.

HCCC Master Breeder Award
This award is presented to any member upon reaching 1000 points with at least three entries in class “C” or higher.

HCCC Breeder of the Year Award
This award is presented once yearly to the BAP leader for that year. Excluded from this category is any member upon reaching the level of Master Breeder and previously awarded Breeder of the Year.

HCCC Grand Master Breeder Award
This award is presented to any member upon reaching 1500 points with at least five entries in class "C" or higher. Levels will be added to the Grand Master Breeder Award at every 500 additional points.

Other categories may be added or revised as the need facilitates.