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Aquashella Contest

Enter one of the exclusive contests only held at Aquashella Aquarium Festival!
These are open to competitors of all types!
Anyone can enter if you feel up to the challenge.

The Aquashella Stingray Contest, in collaboration with Predatory Fins is an opportunity for Stingray Breeders from across the globe to compete at the highest level. See these breathtaking animals in person, and put in your vote for best ray! Contestants complete for a cash prize.

Do you have jaw-dropping, show-stopping, mind-blowing stingray? This is your moment to shine! Bring your best for a shot at the grand prize and the title of Stingray Champion!

Get ready for the first Stingray Competition in the USA!

Enter for a chance to win a $2,000 grand prize!

Organized by:

Email livefish@predatoryfins.com or call (561) 430-7944 to enter!

The Aquashella Guppy Contest

Our Orlando Event is Officially Run by the Florida Fancy Guppy Club (FFGC) The Aquashella Guppy Contest shines a spotlight on one of the most beloved fish in the hobby—celebrating…
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Aquashella Clownfish Contest Entry

The Aquashella Clownfish Contest is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to showcase the vibrance, variety, and creativity of one of the aquarium hobby’s most iconic fish, the Clownfish. This contest highlights every…
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Aquashella Koi Contest Entry

The Aquashella Koi Contest brings together the beauty, tradition, and passion of koi keeping on a national stage like no other. Known for its competitive edge and dazzling displays, koi…
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Aquashella Stingray Contest Entry

The Aquashella Stingray Contest, in collaboration with Predatory Fins is an opportunity for Stingray Breeders from across the globe to compete at the highest level. See these breathtaking animals in…
View Contest

THE #1 EVENT FOR AQUARISTS

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Copyright © 2026 Aquashella. All rights reserved.

CHICAGO EVENT SCHEDULE

September 26th & 27th, 2026
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center
Note: Schedule of Events May Change

Saturday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:30!
11:00am
11 am Entry

Live DJ!
12:00pm
12 pm Entry

Live DJ!
1:00pm
1 pm Entry

Open Mic - Tank Roast!
2:00pm
2 pm Entry

Live DJ!
3:00pm
3 pm or later Entry

Saltwater Jeopardy Live!
4:00pm


Live DJ!
5:00pm
Charity Raffle after 5pm presentation wraps


6:00pm
Festival Close


Sunday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

Live DJ!
11:00am
11 am Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards
VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am
12:00pm
12 pm Entry

Live DJ!
1:00pm
1 pm Entry

Freshwater Jeopardy Live!
2:00pm
2 pm and later Entry

Live DJ!
3:00pm


Live DJ!
4:00pm
Charity Raffle


5:00pm
Festival Close

NEW JERSEY EVENT SCHEDULE

September 12th & 13th, 2026
New Jersey Convention Center, Edison
Note: Schedule of Events May Change

Saturday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry
VIP Meet & Greet with Creators at 10:15am


VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @10:30am
10:30am
Fishin’ For Knowledge: Our Favorite Fish in Science w/ Gettin' Fishy With it Podcast
Live DJ!
11:00am
11am Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Masterclass w/ Daichi Araki, Presentation, Substrate, and Hardscape
Freshwater Jeopardy LIVE!
12:00pm
12 pm Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Masterclass w/ Daichi Araki, Presentation, Substrate, and Hardscape continued
Speed Scaping Contest - Round 1
1:00pm
1 pm Entry
What are Competitive Koi? Learn What it Takes to Win w/ Fitz's Fish Ponds
Diverman Jeopardy ... Live underwater?
2:00pm
2 pm Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Masterclass w/ Daichi Araki, Planting
Speed Scaping Contest - Round 2
3:00pm
3 pm and later Entry
What the L? An Introduction to Plecos w/ Sabu Yamamoto, Saburai Aquatics
3:45pm

Panel Discussion: Current Pressures on the Aquarium Trade w/ Pet Advocacy Network and USAqua
Diverman Show - Live Interviews
4:30pm

Building a Legacy w/ Lori Barczyk, CEO/Founder, Legasea Aquarium and The Reptarium
5:00pm
Charity Raffle


6:00pm
Festival Close


Sunday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am
11:00am
11 am Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards
Speed Scaping Contest Round 3
12:00pm
12 pm Entry
The Coral Food Nutrition Pyramid w/ Vanessa Glass, Home Brew Live Feeds
Speed Scaping Championships
12:45pm

Ethics and Best Management Practices for the Home Breeder w/ Jody Reed Uncle Joes Fish Shed
Diverman Show and Tell
1:00pm
1 pm Entry


1:30pm

History & Development of the Tropical Fish Hobby - Livebearers! w/ Phil Marraccini formerly of Summerland Tropical Fish Farms
SHIZUKU Workshop Begins
2:00pm
2 pm and later Entry

SHIZUKU Workshop 
2:15pm

Natural Aquarium Methods w/ Lou "Father Fish" Maxwell
SHIZUKU Workshop
3:00pm
Foods and feeding your systems using science w/ Katrine, Kats Aquatics
Saltwater Jeopardy
3:30pm


Diverman Show and Tell
4:00pm
Charity Raffle


5:00pm
Festival Close


DALLAS EVENT SCHEDULE

May 16th and 17th, 2026
Dallas Market Hall
Note: Schedule of Events May Change

Saturday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:30am
11:00am
11 am Entry

Live DJ!
12:00pm
12 pm Entry

Live DJ!
1:00pm
1 pm Entry

Open Mic - Tank Roast!
2:00pm
2 pm Entry

Live DJ!
3:00pm
3 pm or later Entry

Saltwater Jeopary Live!
4:00pm


Live DJ!
5:00pm
Charity Raffle


6:00pm
Festival Close


Sunday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am
11:00am
11 am Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards
Live DJ!
12:00pm
12 pm Entry

Freshwater Jeopardy Live!
1:00pm
1 pm Entry

Open Mic - Tank Roasts!
2:00pm
2 pm and later Entry

Freshwater Scape-Off!
3:00pm

Live DJ!
4:00pm
Charity Raffle


5:00pm
Festival Close


ORLANDO EVENT SCHEDULE

March 14th & 15th, 2026
Dezerland Park, Orlando
Note: Schedule of Events May Change

Saturday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:30!
11:00am
11 am Entry
Aquarium Biology with Taras Pleskun, Top Shelf Aquatics
Traveling with Your Micro Reef with TheRoamingReef and PNW Custom
12:00pm
12 pm Entry
Aquarium Designs - Jeff Turner, Reef Aquaria Design
Live DJ!
1:00pm
1 pm Entry
No Filter Aquariums and Natural Setups with Lucas Bretz, LRB Aquatics
Open Mic - Tank Roast!
2:00pm
2 pm Entry
Reptile Breeding, Husbandry and More with TikisGeckos
Live DJ!
3:00pm
3 pm or later Entry
Getting through the first 30 days without losing your mind with Dr. Tim, Dr. Tim's Aquatics
Saltwater Jeopardy Live!
4:00pm

Lighting Techniques to Better Your Husbandry in Planted Tanks, Terrariums, Reptile Enclosures and More! with Tulio Dellaquilla, ReefBrite
Live DJ!
5:00pm
Charity Raffle after 5pm presentation wraps


6:00pm
Festival Close


Sunday

Time
Festival Floor
Speaker Stage
Feature Stage
10:00am
VIP Entry

VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am
11:00am
11 am Entry
Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards
Getting Started with Your Saltwater Aquarium with George Mavrakis, CoralFish12G @ 11:30
12:00pm
12 pm Entry
From Farm to Family Room: A Fish's Journey with David Drake at 5D Tropical
Live DJ!
1:00pm
1 pm Entry
Sustainability in Aquaculture and Mariculture with Jake Phillips at Biota NA
Freshwater Jeopardy Live!
2:00pm
2 pm and later Entry
Discus Breeding and Husbandry with Gabe Posada, Jack Wattley Discus
Coral Farming and Coral ID with Chris Meckley, ACI Aquaculture
3:00pm

Giant Clams: Fragging isn't an option, but they still deserve your love with Julian Sprung, TwoLittleFishies
Live DJ!
4:00pm
Charity Raffle


5:00pm
Festival Close


CHICAGO TICKETS

September 26th & 27th, 2026
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
VIP Weekend Pass
Saturday and Sunday access, 10am entry, official show t-shirt
$ 85.00
266 available
VIP Kids Weekend Pass
(Kids 12 and under) Saturday and Sunday access, 10am entry, official show t-shirt included
$ 50.00
Unlimited
Daily Access Chi - 11am Saturday
11am Entry, 1 Day Access, Saturday Only
$ 30.00
265 available
Daily Access - 12pm Saturday
12pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Saturday Only
$ 30.00
648 available
Daily Access - 1pm Saturday
1pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Saturday Only
$ 25.00
607 available
Daily Access - 2pm Saturday
2pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Saturday Only
$ 25.00
679 available
Daily Access - 3pm or later, Saturday
3pm or later Entry, 1 Day Access, Saturday Only
$ 25.00
1493 available
Daily Access Chi - 11am Sunday
11am Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 30.00
558 available
Daily Access - 12pm Sunday
12pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 30.00
666 available
Daily Access - 1pm Sunday
1pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 25.00
634 available
Daily Access - 2pm Sunday
2pm or later Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 25.00
1489 available
Kids Access - Daily
Kids aged 3-12, 1 Day Access, Saturday or Sunday. Must accompany an adult with VIP or Daily Access ticket.
$ 15.00
Unlimited
Quantity: 0
Total: $ 0.00

NEW JERSEY TICKETS

September 12th & 13th, 2026
New Jersey Convention Center, Edison

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
VIP Weekend Pass
Saturday and Sunday access, 10am entry, official show t-shirt
$ 99.00
38 available
VIP Kids Weekend Pass
(Kids 12 and under) Saturday and Sunday access, 10am entry, official show t-shirt included
$ 50.00
Unlimited
Daily Access - 11am Sunday
11am Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 37.00
0 available
Sold Out
Daily Access - 12pm Sunday
12pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 37.00
411 available
Daily Access - 1pm Sunday
1pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 30.00
708 available
Daily Access - 2pm or later, Sunday
2pm or later Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 30.00
576 available
Kids Access - Daily
Kids aged 3-12, 1 Day Access, Saturday or Sunday. Must accompany an adult with VIP or Daily Access ticket.
$ 18.00
Unlimited
Quantity: 0
Total: $ 0.00

DALLAS TICKETS

May 16th and 17th, 2026
Dallas Market Hall

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Tickets are no longer available

ORLANDO TICKETS

March 14th & 15th, 2026
Dezerland Park, Orlando

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Tickets are no longer available