The Breeders Award Program (BAP) of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society measures advancement in aquaristics by recognizing members who successfully reproduce aquatic species. The program encourages participation, acknowledges achievements, and promotes sharing of breeding techniques. It is noncompetitive, recognizing all members based on their experimentation and willingness to learn, regardless of setup size or time constraints. All points earned are cumulative.

Points are awarded for each successful spawn, based on a point classification list. Accumulated points lead to various titles and awards.

Granted for contributions to the program, or extraordinary achievements

• 5 additional points for an original article on a spawn or plant propagation (with references)
• 5 additional points for a first-time spawn of a fish species for BAS
• 10 additional points with an original article (300+ words, with references) about a first-time spawn within three months of the spawn date

In recognition of levels achieved by participants

• 25-100 points (Hobbyist, Breeder, Advanced Breeder): Certificates
• 300 points (Master Breeder): 5x7 plaque or equivalent
• 500 points (Grand Master Breeder): 8x10 plaque or equivalent
• 750 points (Advanced Grand Master Breeder): Decorative 8x10 plaque or equivalent
• 1,000 points (Senior Grand Master Breeder): Large plaque/trophy or equivalent
• 1,500 points (Premier Breeder): Larger trophy or equivalent
• 2,000 points (Senior Premier Breeder): Largest trophy or equivalent
• 4,000 points (Grand Poobah Yoda Breeder): Huge trophy

This program recognizes members who successfully grow and propagate aquatic plants.

• Definition of Aquatic Plant: A plant that, in its natural state, can be found submerged or floating during some part of a season.
• Program Objectives:
  • Recognize achievement in growing and propagating aquatic plants
  • Gather knowledge about aquatic plants and their environment
  • Identify new plants

Points are awarded for each successful propagation, based on a point classification list. Accumulated points lead to various titles and awards.

• 5 additional points for an original article on plant propagation (with references)
• 5 additional points for the first propagation of a species within the program
• Extra points equal to the plant’s point value for flowering plants
• Extra points equal to the plant’s point value for sexually reproduced plants

• 25-100 points (Beginner, Aquatic, Senior Aquatic Horticulturist): Certificates
• 300 points (Expert Aquatic Horticulturist): 5x7 plaque or equivalent
• 500 points (Master Aquatic Horticulturist): 8x10 plaque or equivalent
• 750 points (Grand Master Aquatic Horticulturist): Decorative 8x10 plaque or equivalent
• 1,000 points (Senior Grand Master Aquatic Horticulturist): Plaque or trophy or equivalent
• 1,500 points (Premier Aquatic Horticulturist): Larger plaque/trophy or equivalent
• 2,000 points (Senior Premier Aquatic Horticulturist): Unique plaque/trophy or equivalent

This program recognizes achievements in growing and propagating marine corals.

• Definition of Marine Coral: Hard and soft corals and their propagation methods.
• Program Objectives:
  • Recognize achievement in growing and propagating corals
  • Gather knowledge about corals and their environment
  • Identify new corals

• 5 additional points for the first propagation of a species within the program
• 5 additional points for an original article on coral propagation (with references)

• 25-100 points (Beginner, Coral Propagator, Senior Coral Propagator): Certificates
• 300 points (Expert Coral Propagator): 5x7 plaque or equivalent
• 500 points (Master Coral Propagator): 8x10 plaque or equivalent
• 750 points (Grand Master Coral Propagator): Decorative 8x10 plaque or equivalent
• 1,000 points (Senior Grand Master Coral Propagator): Large plaque or trophy or equivalent

Alongside our points based programs, this program recognizes breeders who successfully reproduce various specialty species.

An annual award that is presented to the hobbyist who has bred the most fish, plants
and/or coral propagation and, in the view of the BAP committee, has demonstrated a
devotion to the expanding of the species through generosity, patience and support of the
club. Examples are donating fry to other members, help and support to other breeders and
support to the BAS. The BAP chairperson reserves the right not to present this award if it is
believed that no one person has shown the qualities and characteristics that set them apart
from other hobbyists.

• You must be a member in good standing with BAS.
• Points may be awarded to families/couples or to individuals, but not to both.
• It is the breeder's responsibility to complete all necessary forms and ensure submissions are properly recorded.
• Points may be obtained only once per species of fish/coral invertebrate/plant.
  • If a fish has been reclassified under a different scientific name, it will not count as a new species. E.g. Bristlenose Pleco being reclassified (Ancistrus temminckii to Ancistrus cirrhosus)
  • Color variations do not count as a separate species. E.g. Discus varieties Symphysodon aequifasciatus "Pigeon Blood" and Symphysodon aequifasciatus "Gold Dragon" do not count as separate species.

After successful breeding/propagation, submit your report online at bap.basny.org. Include:

• Species information and reproduction details
• Tank parameters and breeding conditions
• Photos or video links of offspring (highly recommended)

A program admin will review your submission for completeness and credibility. This is not an in-person home visit - admins review based on the information and photos/videos you provide.

After admin screening approval, raise your offspring to demonstrate viability:

• Fish (Freshwater): Raise at least 6 healthy fry for 60 days from free-swimming
• Fish (Marine): Raise at least 6 healthy fry for 30 days from free-swimming (marine fish are more difficult and receive 20 points minimum)
• Plants: Ensure successful propagation growth for 60 days
  • Acceptable methods: cuttings, offshoots, runners, plantlets with independent root systems, flowering, or seed production
  • Floating plants: doubling the amount
  • Bunch plants: doubling the number of rooted growing stems
  • Runner/divided plants: one healthy plant capable of living independently
• Corals: Ensure successful propagation growth for 60 days

Special Consideration: For fish that are less prolific, or for Junior members, the committee may waive the 6-fish minimum upon request.

After the maturation period, bring your offspring to a Brooklyn Aquarium Society monthly meeting/auction to present them. Points are awarded at the meeting when you physically present the offspring to a program admin.

What to Bring:

• At least 6 healthy fry (for fish) that meet the age requirements
• Propagated plants or coral frags that demonstrate successful growth
• The offspring should be in good health and match the species you submitted

A program admin will verify your offspring at the meeting and award points. Points are recorded immediately and contribute to your award level progression.

• You do not need a home visit for verification
• Admins screen submissions based on photos, videos, and credibility
• The maturation period (30-60 days) ensures offspring viability before points are awarded
• Bringing offspring to the auction supports the club and lets other members see your success!

• Species not already listed in program points lists that an aquarist is planning to spawn should be brought to the Chairperson’s attention. The Chairperson will present the specifics to the committee for discussion. The committee, by majority vote, will assign points.
• It is recognized that new discoveries, new importations of fish, published documents, etc. can all change the value of breeding a specific species. Points may therefore be reviewed and changed periodically by the committee, by majority vote, and the findings and changes will be publicized in the club journal “Aquatica.”
• If the number of points is changed on a species, this point value will go into effect immediately. When points are reclassified, the points shall not be applied to previously earned points.
• The Breeder Award Program year will start in September and end at the July Board meeting. Spawns for July and August will be recognized in September.
• If a member has a lapse in membership, the former club member’s points will be reinstated depending on the availability of records. During the period of time the person was not a member, those spawns will not count for points; points will start again upon the person becoming a member in good standing.
• The BAP committee has the right to extend any time and/or date limits.

Many factors may be considered when the committee chooses the points to be awarded for a species

1. Fish, coral invertebrate, plant type
2. Water chemistry, lighting, temperature
3. Feeding requirements
4. Difficulty in spawning
5. Difficulty in raising fry

Basic guidelines for the levels are as follows.

5 points - Species that can basically breed over a wide range of conditions, all by themselves.

Examples: guppy and platy.

10 points - Species that can be bred easily, given specific conditions, which are not too
exacting.

Examples: barbs which breed easily when conditioned properly, zebras when
conditioned and given low water level and a marble bottomed tank or African mbuna which
breed easily given alkaline water, good food and some measure of protection
against aggression.

15 points - Those species which may present moderate problems in one or more of the
following areas: aggressive behavior, water chemistry , specific diet requirements, mate selection
or sexing, poor physical stamina or disease resistance, special tank setup requirements, special
care for fry.

Example: Angelfish- may present a sexing problem, have an aggressive nature,
and can present a problem providing proper brood care.

20 points - Those fish that have not been bred, bred only very rarely, or are very difficult to
breed based on the severity of the problems mentioned above.

Examples: Black Ghost fish, Neons, and all marine species.

• The Award Committee will consist of a chairperson and an even number of other
members. The chairperson and the members shall be approved and appointed by the Board
of Directors.

• The duties of the committee shall be to witness spawning and cuttings, keep official
records and point totals, report to the Board when necessary, publicize the activities of the
committee and those persons spawning fish in the club journal, order certificates and awards
as needed, and make the necessary presentations at meetings.

• As soon as your fish spawn, plant or coral reproduce call/email:

Committee Chairperson Joe Graffagnino (718) 238-1792
JOEGRAFFAGNINO@YAHOO.COM