“Goals are like a map. They help us determine where we want to end up, and give us personal direction on which to focus our energy.” — Catherine Pulsifer
WHAT IS SAWGG’s BREEDERS & GROWERS AWARD PROGRAM?
BAP and GAP are vital in the organized aquarium hobby for:
- Recognizing achievements in fish breeding and plant propagation
- Distributing species for hobbyists to work with
- Supporting conservation of endangered species
How the Program Works:
Fish you breed, and plants you propagate, are submitted at one of our monthly meeting auctions with the online submission form (above). Your submissions are tallied, and Rank Awards and Specialty Certifications are presented to you at a monthly meeting ceremony. Also, the club awards Breeder and Grower of the Year Trophies annually to the member with the most spawns / propagations. Participation in the BAP & GAP is completely optional but highly encouraged as it greatly enhances the club experience for all our members.
Rank Award Program
Participants submit at least 5 animals from a natural spawn (no hormone additives), which are at least 45 days, to one of our monthly meeting auctions for sale or donation. 1 point is awarded one time per species or cultivar (additional submissions are automatically credited to Specialist Certification).
For plant propagations, submit 1 or more cuttings or divisions that have developed its own root system (simply growing a plant larger or a cutting does not qualify). Stem plants submissions require at least 3 rooted stems.
| Rank Awarded | Species | Min Classes (see below) |
| Fish Breeder / Aquatic Plant Grower | 10 | 2 |
| Advanced Breeder / Grower | 20 | 3 |
| Senior Breeder / Grower | 30 | 4 |
| Expert Breeder / Grower | 40 | 5 |
| Master Breeder / Grower | 50 | 6 |
| Grand Master Breeder / Grower | 60 | 7 |
Specialist Certification Program
Certification is earned after spawning at least 5 species or cultivars & 10 spawns in one of these Classes:
| BAP Specialist Certification Classes: |
| AB Labyrinth Fish RI Beloniformes (ricefish, etc) CO Mouth-Brooding Cichlids (2 genera min) CN Substrate-Brooding Cichlids (2 genera min) TR Tetras (characids) CT Catfish (2 genera min) LV Livebearers (2 family min) CY Cyprinids (2 family min) KS Substrate-Spawning Killifish KW Water-Spawning Killifish MF Marine Animals NA Native Fish BL Botias/Loaches/Eels IN Invertibrates (1 shrimp min) RB Rainbowfish & Blue Eyes (2 genera min) AM Amphibians LC Live Food Cultures |
| GAP Specialist Certifications Classes: |
| SP Stem Plants (3 stems min) EC Echinodorus (Amazon Swords) AC Aponogeton & Crinums CR Cryptocorynes FP Floating Plants RP Rosette Plants AL Anubias / Lagenandra / Bucephalandra FM Non-Floating Ferns & Mosses AW Waterlilies (tropical and hardy req’d) PW Pond Marginals (emersed) MP Marine Plants & Algaes |
Skylands Aquarium & Water Garden Group 