Auction Rules

We are a livebearer association and as such we will advertise the auction as a livebearer auction. We do not exclude non-livebearing species from being entered as lots, and we are happy to accept most species within reason for this auction. we do stipulate that no large aggressive fish such as flowerhorn cichlids will NOT be accepted. If you are unsure, please contact us for clarification before submitting your auction booking form.

Auction letters and booking form

• To be able to enter fish into the auction you must first contact the show secretary. The show secretary will issue each seller with a personal auction letter and a booking form.
• The booking form must be completed as accurately as possible and submitted back to the show secretary on, or before the Saturday morning prior to the show.
  Depending on our time restraints, lists submitted after this time may not be entered (please seek clarification if your list is late).
• If you are unable to download or return the booking form for any reason, please contact the show secretary for guidance.

No booking forms will be accepted on the day of the auction.

Auction Lots

• The auction team will try to ensure all lots are accurate to their given description and in good condition before being put onto the viewing rack.
  Lots not deemed fit for the auction will be returned to the seller. This will include deflated bags and bags with dead fish or fish that do not look to be in a condition suitable for auction.
• Any complaints or queries about any lot purchased must be registered with a committee member immediately.
  Once a lot has left the auction room, it is unlikely we can rectify any problems.
• The auction is primarily for fish, any other items such as plants, shrimps and snails should be registered with the Sales table.
• Any Plants, shrimp or snails not sold from the sales table may be auctioned at the end of the auction if there is sufficient time.

Auction

• The auction will be (unless previously stated) a cash only auction.
• Bids will begin at £5.00 unless a reserve price is indicated, bids will increase in increments of £1.00 until a winning bid is reached.
  In the situation where a lot is believed not to sell at the indicated starting value, the seller will be informed and the lot will be put to the back into the auction and started from an agreed price.
• On winning a lot, the runner will bring the lot to you and you must pay the winning bid price immediately.

Labelling your bag

The show secretary will have issued you with an auction letter, is an easy way for us and the buyers to identify your lots and keep the writing on the bags to a minimum. Please follow the instructions below. It is your responsibility to mark your bags correctly and ensure they match your booking form on the day.

• You must mark all of your bags with your auction letter and the number of that particular lot. For example, if your letter is A, your first bag will be marked as A1, subsequent bags will be labelled A2, A3…… and so forth.
• The common or scientific name of the fish should be entered next
• any relevant collection or location data
• a reserve price should you wish to set one.
  see auction guidelines for clarity on this
• Please add the number of fish within the lot, i.e., Pair, Trio.
  (The more conventional method is also acceptable 1:1:1 as in 1 male:1 female:1juvenile/fry)

Definitions used when labelling your bag

• Pair – one male and one female fish.
• Breeding Pair – A pair that has successfully produced fry.
• Trio – One male and two female fish.
• Reverse trio – Two male and one female fish.
• Breeding group – A bag containing an unspecified number of fish of mixed ages and sex.
• Juveniles – Juveniles should be roughly 1/3 adult size for that particular species

Please ensure that all lots are clearly labelled and the labelling will not be erased/distorted during handling or water contact.

Auctioning of Lots

Your box of fish will be placed below the rack and opened up alongside all other boxes. Bags will be taken at random and placed on the viewing rack for the buyers to inspect, once the auctioneers are ready the fish will be removed from the rack for auctioning.

Lots that contain fish that are dead, distressed or in the opinion of the committee are not fit for sale will not be auctioned.

Lots where the fish are incorrectly bagged, for instance the bag is deflated, too small for the fish or in the opinion of the committee are not suitable for sale will be returned to the seller.

All bidding will start at the specified reserve value for the lot or £5.00 and will raise in increments of £1.00. At the end of the auction the total sales per seller will be calculated. A 15% commission per seller is deducted before the seller is paid.