International Goldfish Championship

• NeverSayGoodBye

  20 Sep 12, 21:37

  For goldfish breeders all over the world, the wait is finally over as the first ever International Goldfish Championships has begun.

  Whilst some goldfish can enjoy the quiet life of a glass bowl, others are bred for competition.

  Over 3,000 ornamental fish have been entered in championships to fight for prizes in 12 categories.

  
  

  

  Superfish: A judge examines one of the flapping entrants in the International Goldfish Championships in Fuzhou yesterday
  

  Some of the more prominent contenders include a 14.2in long Black lion-head goldfish hoping to swim away with the crown in the longest goldfish category.
  

  Meanwhile a 3.3lbs streaky sulfur goldfish, presented by Wang Zhangliang from Zhangzhou, China, competes in the heaviest goldfish contest.

  Goldfish fans from all over China came to watch the prized specimen show off their swimming skills in rows upon rows of white bowls.

  
  

  Stealing the show: The frontrunner for the longest goldfish category, a 14.2in long Black lion-head goldfish flaps a pose for the camera

  
  

  The judges have begun their assessments, walking from bowl to bowl, measuring and weighing each goldfish before crowning the winners.

  Preparation for goldfish competitions is not a game. Goldfish breeders looking for a top placement have to look after everything from the fish’s diet to water quality, temperature and PH level to make sure the champions are in perfect condition as they go before the judges

  The competition is held in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian province

  
  

  

  

  A golden streak: A 3.3lbs streaky sulfur goldfish has its fins set on becoming the heavyweight champion in the competition