China – Shanghai, 24-26 October 2008

At the 3rd International Chinese Discus Championship in Shanghai a total of 72 discus in 6 discus-categories were judged by 6 judges. There were 3 judges from Mainland China and 3 from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Heiko Bleher from Italy. The 6 categories consisted of Turquoise Striped, Solid Blue, Solid Red, Red Spotted, Pigeon and Open (incl. Albino).

_{The 6 judges for the discus fishes…}

_{…and the certificate each one received}

_{The venue of Shaquaria 2008 with the announcement for 2009}

_{International Discus Champions}

_{The judges agreeing on methods of judging…}

_{…each one had a colour-paper and placed it on the best discus in each category, like here the Turquoise Striped (all 6 judges had agreed = 1. Prize in its category)…}

_{…Heiko and Jeffrey placing their papers 8both had agreement on almost all the same fish – only exception was the Albino)}

_{1. Prize Turquoise Striped}

_{2. Prize Turquoise Striped (Heiko’s preferred one)}

_{1. Prize Solid Blue}

_{2. Prize Solid Blue}

_{1. Prize Solid Red}

_{2. Prize Solid Red}

_{3. Prize Solid Red}

_{1. Prize Red Spotted (because of its gill plate design)}

_{2. Prize Red Spotted (Heiko’s preferred)}

_{1. Prize Pigeon}

_{2. Prize Pigeon (Heiko’s preferred one)}

_{1. Prize Open and Grand Champion (white albino discus)}

_{All 6 judges of the 2008 Shaquaria Discus Championships…}

_{…but there were also goldfish judged like the famous Japanese expert and friend of Heiko Yutaka Akai from Hirose Co. (white hair) invited to Shanghai’s  Aquaria…}

_{All goldfish were displayed as they should: in ceramic vases to be judged correctly (and appreciated) from the top (below some of these amazing man-made creatures and winners)}

_{Also koi  – the third group of fish – judging was only done from the bird-eyes view…}

_{…but many more were – besides those judged – on display…}

_{…and there were beautiful display of real ponds as this one – which is how goldfish and koi should be kept…}

_{…or like this for smaller goldfish – nature like biotope}

_{Beautiful Chinese girls did the official welcome ceremony on the opening day for all judges and the Chinese celebrities}

_{It was an excellent organized Championship and a beautiful exhibition – the entire world can learn from.}

_{Thank You Prof. Chen and Prof. Xu Liuxiong of the Shanghai Ocean University, Director of the Fishery Office of Shanghai Agriculture Committee Shanghai Fishery Bureau Liang Wei Quan, Director Liu Jian, Tommy Wong and the entire Shaquaria 2008 comity for inviting me.  Heiko Bleher}

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