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.

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 the incredible diversity, color, and personality of guppies on a national stage.

This prestigious competition is proudly organized and operated by the Florida Fancy Guppy Club (FFGC), a dedicated organization committed to promoting excellence in guppy breeding and exhibition.

Known for their dazzling tails and endless variety, guppies are judged on pattern, size, structure, and overall presentation—making this contest as competitive as it is captivating.

Event Location & Dates

The 2026 Aquashella Guppy Contest will take place during:

March 14th & 15th, 2026
AQUASHELLA ORLANDO – DEZERLAND EVENT CENTER
5250 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Throughout the weekend, every entry will be displayed in its own show aquarium, giving spectators the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and detail of each fish up close. From bold, striking show guppies to carefully cultivated strains with intricate fin designs, this contest showcases the best that dedicated breeders and hobbyists have to offer.

Competitors vie for top honors awarded by expert judges, along with exciting recognition—including a cash prize and the coveted People’s Choice Award, where attendees select their favorite entry.

Whether you are competing or simply admiring, the Aquashella Guppy Contest is a vibrant celebration of the artistry, skill, and joy of guppy keeping.

Guppy Show Classes for Entry

All entries must be shown in pairs (male & female) unless otherwise noted.

Class 1: Large Tail Types – Solid
(Delta, Veil, Halfmoon – solid tail color)

Class 2: Large Tail Types – Variegated
(Delta, Veil, Halfmoon – variegated tail color)

Class 3: Sword Tail Types
(Single, Top, Bottom, or Double Sword – any color)

Class 4: Small Tail Types
(Round, Spade, Spear, Pintail – any color)

Class 5: Endlers

Class 6: Matched Males
(Two males of the same type)

Registration, Fees, Acceptance & Deadlines

Pre-registration of show fish is required to reserve tank space.

All entries must be submitted through the Aquashella event registration webpage and must include the official Guppy Show Entry Form.

Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited and registration will close once capacity is reached.

Entry Fee

Entry fees are non-refundable once accepted.

  ⚠️ Only 48 show tank spaces are available.
Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Once capacity is reached, registration will close. 

Judging & Awards

Judging will take place on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 by qualified and experienced judges appointed by the Florida Fancy Guppy Club.

Guppies will be evaluated based on:

Size & Development
Fish should be ¾ to full adult size. Large-tail types must exhibit proper fin development and structure. Females must be full-bodied and appropriately matched.

Condition
Fish must be healthy, free of deformities, torn fins, or disease.

Color & Pattern
Entries must clearly display the correct color intensity and pattern for their class.

Deportment
Fish should be active and visible in the tank.

Matched Males (Class 6)
Both males must match closely in size, body color, fin color, and shape.

Winners will be announced on Sunday during the exhibition.
Awards include judge-selected placements, a cash prize, and the People’s Choice Award selected by attendees.

Auction Option

Entries may be:

Auction fish will be removed and bagged by the Show Committee.

Fish cannot be shipped back to exhibitors.

Pickup & Unclaimed Entries

All entries must be removed at:

4:00 PM on Sunday, March 15th, 2026

Entries not claimed by show closing will become the property of the Show Committee unless prior arrangements have been made.

Show Conditions

The Show Committee (Florida Fancy Guppy Club) will provide:

Show tanks will be:

All entries are exhibited at the owner’s risk. The event organizers and FFGC are not responsible for loss or damage during the exhibition

Submit Your Entry

Reserve your tank space early — availability is limited and fills quickly.

Submit your entry for the 2026 Aquashella Guppy Contest in Orlando and showcase your finest fish on a national stage.

Shipments of contest entries will be accepted at the following address between Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 and Friday, March 13, 2026 (NO EARLY or LATE SHIPMENTS ALLOWED):
Dezerland Event Center
5250 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
ATTN Grant Eder / Aquashella Guppy Contest

Tickets

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Tickets are no longer available

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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
267 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

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
432 available
Daily Access - 1pm Sunday
1pm Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 30.00
713 available
Daily Access - 2pm or later, Sunday
2pm or later Entry, 1 Day Access, Sunday Only
$ 30.00
578 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

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