Awards PRograms

Written By Jarvis Gibb

All members are welcome to take part in the CAS Breeder’s Award Program (BAP) and Horticultural Award Program (HAP). These programs award, respectively, achievement in breeding fish and achievement in the growing and reproduction of aquatic plants.

The Calgary Aquarium Society recognizes achievement in both aquatic animal breeding and aquatic plant propagation through two long-running award programs:

  • Breeders Award Program (BAP) – for breeding fish and other aquatic animals.

  • Horticultural Award Program (HAP) – for propagating aquatic plants.

These programs encourage skill development, conservation, education, and friendly competition among members.

Horticultural Award Program (HAP)

The Horticultural Award Program recognizes members who successfully propagate aquatic plants through vegetative growth, flowering, or sexual reproduction.

Propagation Requirements

Vegetative Reproduction

  • Floating plants: Double the original quantity.

  • Bunch plants: Double the number of rooted growing stems.

  • Runner or divided plants: Produce one healthy independent offspring.

Sexual Reproduction

  • Flowering plants must be witnessed while in bloom.

  • Seedlings must be sufficiently developed to be identifiable as offspring of the parent plant.

Verification

Propagation must be witnessed by a CAS member in good standing who is not an immediate family member. Photographs or video may be accepted when a witness is unavailable.

HAP Award Levels

Award LevelRequirementBeginner Aquatic Horticulturist30 points or 4 speciesAquatic Horticulturist100 points or 12 speciesSenior Aquatic Horticulturist160 points or 20 speciesExpert Aquatic Horticulturist240 points or 28 speciesMaster Aquatic Horticulturist300 points or 35 speciesGrand Master Level 1350 points or 40 speciesGrand Master Level 2400 points or 45 speciesGrand Master Level 3450 points or 50 speciesGrand Master Level 4500 points or 55 speciesGrand Master Level 5550 points or 60 speciesGrand Master Level 6650 pointsGrand Master Level 7750 pointsGrand Master Level 8850 pointsGrand Master Level 9950 pointsGrand Master Level 101050 points

HAP Plant Classifications

Class A – 5 Points

Easy aquatic plants suitable for beginners.

  • Ceratophyllum demersum

  • Ceratopteris thalictroides

  • Egeria densa

  • Elodea canadensis

  • Hygrophila corymbosa

  • Hygrophila difformis

  • Hygrophila polysperma

  • Lemna minor

  • Riccia fluitans

  • Sagittaria cuneata

  • And other listed Class A species

Class B – 10 Points

Moderately difficult species.

  • Alternanthera reineckii

  • Bacopa monnieri

  • Cabomba caroliniana

  • Crinum thaianum

  • Echinodorus tenellus

  • Limnophila aquatica

  • Lobelia cardinalis

  • Rotala rotundifolia

  • Vallisneria americana

  • Vesicularia dubyana (Java Moss)

  • And other listed Class B species

Class C – 15 Points

Advanced species.

  • Acorus calamus

  • Acorus gramineus

Class D – 20 Points

Expert-level species.

  • Anubias species

  • Cryptocoryne species

  • Echinodorus species

  • Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern)

  • Pistia stratiotes

  • Pogostemon helferi

  • Aponogeton madagascariensis

  • Barclaya longifolia

  • Bolbitis heudelotii

  • Blyxa japonica

  • Crinum natans

  • Lagenandra species

  • Ottelia alismoides

  • And other listed Class D species

Bonus Awards

Class E – Flowering Bonus

Additional points equal to the plant's class value are awarded when a plant flowers.

Class F – Sexual Reproduction Bonus

Additional points equal to the plant's class value are awarded when a plant is successfully reproduced sexually from seed.

Breeders Award Program (BAP)

The Breeders Award Program recognizes members who successfully breed fish and other aquatic animals.

Requirements

  • Fry must be witnessed within 10 days of becoming free-swimming.

  • Fry must be witnessed again after 60 days.

  • Class D species must be witnessed within 40 hours.

  • At least 10 live offspring must remain after 60 days unless otherwise approved by the BAP Coordinator.

BAP Award Levels

Award LevelPoints RequiredNovice25Intermediate50Advanced100Senior200Expert300Master Breeder500Grandmaster10002000 Point Club2000

BAP Fish Classifications

Class A – 5 Points

  • Betta splendens

  • Paradise Fish

  • Australian Rainbowfish

  • White Cloud Minnows

  • Guppies

  • Mollies

  • Swordtails

  • Gambusia

  • Fundulus

  • Non-Rift Lake Haplochromis

  • Other livebearers

  • Common aquarium snails

Class B – 10 Points

  • Other Gouramis

  • American Flag Fish

  • Aphyosemion

  • Bristlenose Plecos

  • Epiplatys

  • Oryzias

  • Giant Danios

  • Goodeids

  • Halfbeaks

  • Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

  • Other South American Cichlids

  • Other African Mouthbrooders

Class C – 15 Points

  • True Gouramis

  • Chocolate Gouramis

  • Croaking Gouramis

  • Kissing Gouramis

  • Moonlight Gouramis

  • Nothobranchius

  • Cynolebias

  • Cyprichromis

  • Rivulus

  • Tiger Barbs

Class D – 20 Points

  • Corydoras

  • Otocinclus

  • Discus

  • Frontosa

  • Tropheus

  • Paracyprichromis

  • Oscar

  • Uaru

  • Arowanas

  • Axolotls

  • Hatchetfish

  • Cardinal Tetras

  • Neon Tetras

  • Pencilfish

  • Botia Loaches

  • Coolie Loaches

  • Silver Dollars

  • Piranhas

  • Seahorses

  • Most Marine Fish Species

General Rules

  • Participants must be CAS members in good standing.

  • Entry forms are required.

  • Credit is awarded only once per species.

  • Ownership may not change during the assessment period.

  • Unlisted species will be classified by the appropriate coordinator.

For entry forms, species classifications, or spotting arrangements, please contact the appropriate CAS Awards Coordinator.

Jarvis Gibb