Regulations
Zürich Betta Show 2026

Show Regulations

1. The show is open for selectively bred Betta splendens show fish, as well as hybrid variants in respective classes.
    

2. There are specific classes offered for Wildtype species.
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3. Breeders must abide by all the rules described within these regulations.
    

4. IBC Classes in Area 2 (Europe) only allow self-bred fish to be entered by their breeders. These self-bred fish must be born and raised at the breeder's home. In case of any doubts, Betta Helvetia may request insights, videos, and photos of the breeders' home setups, which will be forwarded to the IBC for evaluation and further instructions. Affected breeders are welcome to enter their fish in the OPEN Classes.
    

5. OPEN Classes (see 13 for more details) are open to anyone, breeders, collectors, and enthusiasts, to enter any fish they wish, regardless of where it was born, raised, or purchased.
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6. Any use of products that can color the water is strictly prohibited for any Betta that must be judged. Any fish that swims in tinted/colored water will be automatically disqualified. This is so the judges can clearly see the color of the fish, as well as preventing the judges from easily guessing who the breeders of the fish are.
    

7. Minimum size requirements:

   • The minimum size for show fish entered in the IBC classes is 1.5 inches (3.8cm) for males and 1.25 inches (3.2cm) for females, body length only. This is measured from snout to peduncle (excluding fins). Fish that are smaller will be disqualified.

   • The minimum size for show fish entered in Open classes is 3.5cm for males and 3cm for females, body length only. Junior classes are offered as part of the Open Classes. The maximum size for males and females entered in Junior classes is 3cm, body length only.
      

8. The maximum number of fish each participant can enter in the Zürich Betta Show is:

   • ​20 Show Betta Fish in IBC Classes

   • 20 Show Betta Fish in Open Classes

   • 6 pairs of Wildtype species
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9. The number of show fish accepted to be judged is limited to 550 in total. This number will not be increased, even if the show fills up within just a few hours.
   If the show is fully booked and more breeders want to join, Betta Helvetia reserves the right to reduce the maximum number of show fish, but not below 15 fish per participant per show (IBC/Open).
   If the show isn’t fully booked by mid-September, we will increase the maximum number of entries per breeder to 25 show fish and 8 pairs of wild betta species.
    

10. No appeal can be made pertaining to the judgment. However, judges will gladly answer any questions regarding how fish are judged in general and explain the standards.
     

11. Only judges, apprentices, and helpers are permitted in the showroom during judging.
     

12. New Breeder classes:

    • Breeders can enter show Betta fish in New Breeder classes if they have not been showing Betta for at least two years, up to the day of the show.

    • If the breeder does not enter Betta fish in New Breeder classes, he/she will not be allowed to enter New Breeder classes at future shows.

    • Breeders can enter fish in New Breeder classes during a maximum of 2 show seasons. After that, they have to enter their fish in Regular Classes.
       

13. ​OPEN Classes:

    • OPEN classes are not part of the IBC Show. The origin of a fish is disregarded in these classes. Anyone may enter their fish here, regardless of where or by whom that fish was bred.

    • There is 1 Junior class per division (Short Fin / Long Fin). Both males and females can be entered in this class.

    • There is 1 Female class per division (Short Fin / Long Fin). Any forms of the respective divisions may be entered here.

    • There is 1 Best of Show winner, both males and females compete for this award.
       

14. ​Photographing the fish: the participants and visitors are free to take photos or videos of the fish in the show, but NOT before or during judgment.
    Betta Helvetia reserves the right to ask for copies of the pictures for use by the club.
     

15. Benching in:
    The fish have to be benched in on Thursday, 08th of October 2026, between 15.00 and 19.00. Under no circumstances can fish be benched in on Friday morning.
     

16. Entry Fees:​

    • IBC Show:

      • ​IBC members: CHF 5.00 per fish

      • Non-IBC members: CHF 7.50 per fish 

    • OPEN Classes:

      • CHF 7.50 per fish

    • Betta Helvetia members get a discount of CHF 1.00 per fish

    • Entry fees may be paid in cash, by bank transfer, or using PayPal friends.
       

17.  Fish that haven’t been sold may be taken out of the show no sooner than 15.00 Sunday afternoon, but must be taken out by 18.00 at the latest. A payout of auction profits is not possible for participants who choose to leave early. They will receive their profits within the following week via Bank transfer and will carry the costs of this transaction.
     

18. All show tanks of unsold fish need to be dried and sorted by number by EACH PARTICIPANT and then returned to Betta Helvetia. They also need to remove all show stickers (except the tank numbers). Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a penalty fee of CHF 2 per tank, which will be deducted from the participants' sales proceeds or billed to them, should the sales proceeds not cover the outstanding amount.
     

19. ​Mail-in entries:
    Mail-in entries from the EU can be accepted and sent to one of our club members, who will take care of them. After the show, we can return the fish by mail.
    Should fish be sent to us by package mail, the box needs to contain all of the following:

    • Fish in clearly labeled bags/containers (including the number according to the filled-out form)

    • Entry fees in cash (unless previously transferred by PayPal or bank transfer)

    • Copy of registration confirmation

    • Filled in list specifically for mail-in entries (will previously be sent to you by Betta Helvetia)

    • Filled in auction-tags (two tags as one connected strip per fish to be sold)

    • Fish bags for return shipment (2 per fish), also clearly labeled (unless fish are sent in containers)

    • Heatpacks (activated ones for shipment from you to us, as well as new ones for return shipment

    • Return shipment label, paid for and printed by you

    • Please note that fish cannot be entered into the show if the entry fees have not been received previously.

    • The package has to arrive by Wednesday, October 07th 2026. The exact address will be given upon request.​​
       

    • The extra costs for this service are as follows:

      • CHF 5.- per box for the postal shop receiving fee in Germany

      • CHF 1.- per fish handling cost for receiving and benching in

      • CHF 1.- per fish handling cost for benching out and packing fish for return shipment
         

20. ​If a participant brings fish to the show, but then disappears and can no longer be reached until the show has ended, all his/her fish become the property of the club and may be sold or given away for free.
    Thereafter, the club is no longer responsible for getting the participant's fish back to them. Betta Helvetia reserves the right to ban such irresponsible participants from any future shows.
    Penalty charges are CHF 3.- per fish in total (CHF 1.- per fish for benching out & packing, as well as CHF 2.- per fish for cleaning/drying the empty tank.)
     

21. Certificates, medals, and trophies can be shipped by mail to participants who cannot attend in person. The cost of postage is to be paid in full by the recipient. Any other winnings, such as e.g. Nano Tanks for BOS winners, will not be shipped and will go to the club, should the participant fail to find an alternative mode of transportation.
     

22. Neither Betta Helvetia nor the IBC can be held responsible in case of loss, theft, illness, or death of any Betta.
     

23. The breeder/participant accepts this set of rules at the moment he/she registers fish in the show.
     

24. Direct sales / Auction rules:

    • The live auction of winning fish will be held on Saturday afternoon.

    • Fish that did not win any placement will be available for direct purchase as of Saturday morning, 10 AM, if the breeder has marked them for sale with a sales label. Winning fish that did not sell in Saturday's auction will be available for direct purchase as of Sunday morning, 10 AM.

    • Every fish that is determined for auction has to be labeled with an official auction label (two tags as one connected strip per fish). Each participant is responsible for filling out the labels and ensuring their correctness. 

    • Split: 25% of the sales price for Betta Helvetia, 75% for the breeder.

    • Fish may be picked up with sales/auction labels marked as “paid” by the Betta Helvetia cashier.

    • All payments go through the official Betta Helvetia cashier.

    • When a fish is sold, the breeder may reuse the same tank for another one of their own fish, after the club has added a new number to the tank. If the breeder does not wish to reuse the tank for themselves, then Betta Helvetia will decide who will get to use this tank.

    • If the show is not fully booked, there is an option for breeders personally attending the show to bring extra sales fish along that may be benched in on Thursday as well, but will not be judged. The club will offer the available tanks for this purpose and distribute them amongst attending breeders upon request.

    • Here too, breeders may reuse the same tank for another one of their own fish, after the club has added a new number to the tank. If the breeder does not wish to reuse the tank for themselves, then Betta Helvetia will decide who will get to use this tank.

    • Since the number of tanks is limited, so is the number of available tanks per breeder. Betta Helvetia members and secondly, IBC members will be prioritised.

    • Alternatively, attending breeders may book sales booth space in the "Club-Village" section of the SwissFish expo, where they need to bring and use their own setup to sell as many fish as they like. This booth needs to be manned by the breeders personally throughout the entire day. All payments go through the Betta Helvetia cashier; the split is 15% for Betta Helvetia, 85% for the breeder.