Hey guys, I love the idea of the Pearscales competition! Shall we do it?
Let's see... why Pearlies? Because the short-tails variety is cheap at $2 (€0.97). Try getting a decent ranchu for $2; you can't. Heck, for $2 you probably can't get a decent Ryukin or Oranda too. Pearlies are for cheapskates.
The aim of this competition... well, there's a China goldfish Competition Standard to look at (
Click here) but we'll keep it simple -- see who can develop his pearlies really big. It has to be healthy; a fat fish that lies on the floor waiting to die is just pathetic.
I think we should all start with pearlies from the same spawn, ie, we all pick from the same tank at a specified LFS. This way the chances of someone getting a super-duper bloodline (by chance) is reduced when he picked his at another LFS.
I think we won't care how you groom it. Green Water, green water with filtration, clear water with daily change, clear water that never change for 4 months ... whatever. It's your call.
How's that? Add on the list on what you like to the little competition to be like!