Breed Scavengers and earn points towards awards 

The Scavengers BAP Rules have been updated by the GCCA Board of Directors for 2025. 

The Breeder's Award Program was established to recognize member achievements in breeding various scavengers including all freshwater Catfish (Order: Siluriformes). Commonly aquarium bred examples would be: Plecos (Loricariidae) and  Corys (Corydoradinae). Excluded from this are any invertebrates, carp type fish (Order Cypriniformes) and other non Catfish type species. Also due to minimization of meeting and auction time, standard or common brown bristlenose will be excluded (other color variants are excepted) 

The BAP objectives are: 

1. To learn to breed Catfish and further one's interest, activity and knowledge in the hobby 

1. To encourage and favor the breeding and distribution of catfish of known and reliable provenance 

1. To accumulate points at each level, as outlined below, and receive a plaque commemorating the achievement 

1. To succeed in becoming a Master Breeder, as defined below, entitling the member to receive a lifetime membership in the GCCA 

BAP Point Levels 

BAP Program Rules 

Definitions 

Location: The specific geographic area where the fish were collected in the wild.  

Color Variants: This refers to a group of fish within a species that exhibits distinct and consistent body coloration beyond the natural, wild-type range.  

Hybrid: This refers to offspring resulting from the crossbreeding of two different catfish species. 

Fin Variety: This refers to common, accepted finnage variations for Corydoras and Plecos such as standard or long. 

Eligibility 

• To participate in the Breeders Award Program (BAP), you must be a GCCA member in good standing as defined by the GCCA Constitution. 

Breeding and Fry Requirements 

• Successfully spawn and raise at least 6 fry to 60 days old, starting from when they become free-swimming. 
  NOTE: GCCA recommends submitting 6-8 fry or each entry to promote the best chances for continued maintenance of the species. 

• You must own the parent fish before spawning occurs. 

• Fry must be offspring of your personal fish housed in your own tank or aquarium. 

• Each species or species-location can only earn you BAP points once. See Location and Color Variant Recognition below. 

Documentation and Reporting 

• Record spawning details on a BAP "Breeder's Report" and submit it to the BAP Chair for verification at a regular meeting in order to receive credit. 

• Contribute six or more (6-8 recommended) properly bagged and fry from each spawn to the GCCA regular meeting auction. 

• Ensure that the bag is clearly and properly labeled. 

Location and Color Variant Recognition 

• The GCCA recognizes different locations and color variations within species. 

• Color variations or "tank strains" must be well-established and approved by the GCCA Board to receive BAP credit. 

• Here is a list of the color variants of standard bristlenose Plecos that are currently accepted – Red, Albino, Albino blue eyed, Green Dragon, Snow White, Calico and Brown 

• For longfin varieties all BAP fish need to be longfin and old enough to tell them that they are longfin 

• No glow fish are allowed to be Bapped if they are trademarked 

Location Variant Rules 

• Location strains must come from a trusted source approved by the GCCA Board. 

• If a fish primarily originates from one location, you cannot submit both an aquarium strain (no specific location) and a location variant for the same species. 

• Participants are required to have a 1-year gap between submitting an aquarium strain and location variant of the same species. 

Color Form Rules 

Fin Variety Rules 

• Fin variants are only allowed for the following fish (Corydoradinae: Hoplisoma paleatum, Osteogaster aenea; Loricariidae: Standard Bristlenose Pleco- see accepted color variants above) 

• Fin variants are not allowed for any other catfish 

Prohibited BAP Entries 

• Hybrid fish such as Aspidoras sp. CW052, any other known cross between 2 valid species, C/CW numbers (Corys), or L numbers (Plecos) 

• Population (Location) Crosses: Crossing two known locations within a species to create an aquarium strain 

Exemptions 

• No exemptions for the Scavenger BAP program at this point 

• Any fish that sells for more than $50 the first $50 goes to the club the rest goes to the Bapper.  

Verification and Disputes 

• Only GCCA Board and BAP Committee members can verify spawns. 

• Verification is only allowed at regular GCCA meetings 

Dismissal from the BAP Program 

• Two or more inaccurate submissions (intentional or accidental) within a year may lead to BAP suspension for one year or permanently, depending on a board vote. You can appeal a suspension decision to the GCCA Board. 

• Examples of inaccurate submissions include: 

• Submitting a species which you have previously submitted. 

• Submitting a misidentified fish. 

• Providing inaccurate location or species information. 

• Repeatedly disputing BAP requirements with the BAP Chair may lead to dismissal from the program. 

Eligibility Questions 

• Participants who are unsure about the eligibility of a location variant, tank strain, or color form should contact the BAP Chair before acquiring or submitting fish. 

• Refunds are not provided for ineligible fish.