Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society Plant & Fish Livestock Auction

November 25th
Tom Brown Arena
Bidding begins at 7:00 PM

It’s that time again! Each November OVAS hosts an auction of fish and plants. This is an excellent opportunity to stock up your tanks. Or, if it’s time to prune back your plants and get rid of some overstock this is a great opportunity to make a few dollars, replenish the aquatic community and help out the club at the same time.

Call for volunteers

Each year it is the volunteers who make our auctions happen. While the board members are involved in the planning and logistics of the event, it is our membership who steps up to make the auction a success. This year we are looking for Runners, Auctioneers, Cashiers, Recorders, and a Set-up & Take-down crew.

If you’d like to volunteer, please post to THIS THREAD on the forum.

What to expect at this year’s auction

Last year’s auction saw plenty of Rotalas, Ludwigias, Crypts, Cichlids, Mollies, and shrimp; however, there were also some rarities such as Crystal Black Shrimp, Buchephalandra Arrogant Blue, and a Buchephalandra Black Mist. There were also several Ludwigia ‘Super Reds’ boasting spectacularly deep reds.

For a full list of plants and fish sold at last years auction, including average prices, see THIS POST from the 2017 fish & plant auction.

Information for Bidders

• This is a CASH ONLY auction. There is no ATM on site, so be sure to have enough cash on hand. We’d suggest you bring a little extra as there tend to be some bargains that are just too good to pass up!
• We suggest you bring an insulated bag or styrofoam cooler for transporting your livestock home.
• It’s a good idea to arrive early so that you have a chance to inspect the preview tables and make note of the lots you are interested in bidding on.
• There is no attendance fee for the auction. Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend and participate.
• Refreshments and snacks will be available for sale.
• The auction begins at 7:00 PM sharp and ends when everything is sold – usually between 9:00 and 10:00 PM.
• All livestock is sold in as-is condition. We recommend you arrive early to inspect the lots before the auction begins at 7:00 PM.
• Once the auction begins, you will not have an opportunity to inspect the lots.
• Respect the auctioneer’s final call on all lots.

Information for Consignors

Bagging fish

Please take the time to bag and transport your fish properly to ensure their health en route to their new homes.

Please read and follow THESE guidelines regarding how to properly bag fish for the auction. 

Registration

• There is no online pre-registration available.
• Please download a registration form HERE, print, complete, and bring it with you to the registration counter.
• We have access to the arena at 6:00 PM – get there early to ensure your lots are registered and get to the viewing tables in time for bidders to preview your items.
• The auction begins at 7:00 PM sharp and ends when the last lot is sold.
• Unsold lots are the responsibility of the consignor.
• There is a registration cost of $1/lot for members and $2/lot for non-members. There is no charge for donations (sale proceeds go to the club)
• Minimum bid for all items will be $2.
• There is a limit of 3 lots of the same species/consignor; however, some exceptions can be made depending on the item. Contact CHARLIE if you’d like to be considered for an exemption.
• There is a limit of 100 lots/consignor. Please contact CHARLIE for exceptions.
• All bags must be correctly labelled. You can purchase labels at the dollar store or use masking tape. Please print in large clear lettering so our auctioneers can call you lot easily.
• Please label plants like this:

• Please label fish like this: