For those where this auction will be the first one they attend:

• Get a number before the auction

• Request a number before the auction.
  
  (1-2 will save you lots of grief the morning of the auction. Depending on the number of people atttending this will be the biggest bottle neck in the process.)

• Get there early! You will want to look around at the items. There are no warranties on the items, you buy as is period. Make sure what you are bidding on is what you want. Getting in early will also allow you to talk with the seller. You can ask questions of care and water parameters if you are not familiar with the fish.

• Bring a book to ID fish. Most of the fish will have the scientific name on the bag. If you are not familiar with the sci name (For example me and rockfish!) a good book will help you. Typically the fish for sale at auction are juvies and not showing their true adult colors. By having a reference book you will see what the fish will be as an adult.

• Bring a pen and notepad. We will have pens available but they usually disappear after about the first five minutes of opening registration. You will want to write down bag numbers for the items you want while you are walking around looking at everything.

• If you are selling also bring a sharpie or marker pen. This is a very highly sought after item the morning of the auction.

• Bring a cooler or styrofoam box. You need somewhere to put the bags of fish and also a way to transport them home safely. If you forget this item typically there will be some up for bid during the auction. Be prepared to pay lots of $$$ as you will not be the only one who forgets this very important item.

• Take some refreshments. We will have drinks and lunch for sale during the auction. You may not like what we serve??? The location for the auction is off the beaten path a bit, so getting food may be an issue.

• Have FUN!!

Trust me if this is your first, auctions are a blast. There will be fish you have never seen at bargain prices. Get your tanks ready!

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Are there any recommendations as to the number of fish per bid?

Good question. These are my observations from attending a few of these events:

Things that sell very well:

• Pairs (Known spawning pairs)
• Juvies of anything in six packs. Most breeders know that if you get 6 from the same spawn you will get at least 1 pair. (99.9% chance unless the sex ratio is off)
• Young Adults bagged three at a time. Chances are better to get a mix of sexes
• Very colorful fish bagged as pairs (Killifish, Livebearers)

Some things to bag as singles:

• Tankbusters
• Discus
• Adult angels (Unless you have a pair)
• Bettas
• Large catfish especially L# plecs

Items which always do poorly:

• Fish bagged in Ziplocks (Will be taken out of auction)
• Fish bagged in dirty water
• Single adult fish with no pair
• Bags with the wrong ID