Every year the AKA convention hosts a large killifish show, with 17 show classes! These shows give killifish breeders the chance to show off some of the most beautiful in the world! Plus attendees will get a chance to marvel at these gorgeous fish. A panel of judges will also choose winners for 17 different show categories, with awards being given at the Saturday night banquet.
Submitting Show Entries
Digital photography (Category 16) must be submitted by Sunday, June 7th. These photo images will displayed in a Power Point program in the show room.
Please send photo submissions to hellerjackl@aol.com
SHOW FISH ENTRIES MAY BE MADE after January 1st using the early fish registration on the web site. Only if they will be received by Wednesday, June 11, 2026
– Ship Entries to:
Jack Heller;
14212 Trailtop Drive,
Chesterfield, MO 63017;
Phone: 314- 576-5111;
Email: hellerjackl@aol.com
Both List of Fish and Show Entrant contact info MUST be included in the shipping container AND in the Email to Jack providing the Container tracking information.
Show Fish brought with Registrants to the Convention may be entered online (AKAConvention.org) at the provider’s convenience. Entry/registration will be managed by AKA Staff. Acceptance of hand carried entries begins at 8 AM on Friday morning, June 12th and ends at 9 PM that evening.
Label each bag neatly and clearly with:
1. Entrant name
2. Convention Registration Number
3. Genus/species/location
4. Class
List each entry separately on the show form.
All show fish will be automatically entered into both Show and Sunday Auction where they are considered donations to the Convention.
Email info to: hellerjackl@aol.com
Mail Fish to:
Jack Heller
14212 Trailtop Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Use the Following form when submitting fish for entry. Either email the completed form to Jack Heller or send a hard copy to the above address.
Display Tanks are generally 2 gallon critter keepers – larger tanks will be found for the occasional oversized fish.
Show Classes
There will be 16 show classes for the killifish show:
1: New World Non-Annuals
2: Rivulus
3: South American Annuals
4: Nothobranchius
5: Fundulopanchax, omitting Paraphysemion
6: Fundulopanchax, only Paraphysemion
7: Blue Gularis
8: Mesaphyosemion, omitting Calliurium types
9: Mesaphyosemion, only Calliurium types
10: Chromaphyosemion
11: Archiaphysemion, Scriptesemion & Nimbopanchax
12: Aphyosemion, & all others
13: Epiplatys
14: All other old world
15: Matched Breeding Pairs
16: Digital Photography
17: Killifish Themed Artwork
Please note that all of the class sponsorships have been sold and no more are available at this time. If any class sponsorships become available, they will be listed on the web site.
Prohibited Fish
The following types of fish are no allowed at the 2026 AKA convention
Missouri State Law: No Missouri Native fish- Wild caught, tank raised, nor brought in from another state, may be sold at any time during the Convention.
Endangered Species: The AKA as an organization is dedicated to the conservation and maintenance of killifish, and follows the intent of CITES regulations and the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Thus, the following lists of species are prohibited within our programs, including this National Convention:
-Crenichthys baileyi baileyi
-Crenichthys baileyi grandis
-Crenichthys nevadae
-Cyprinodon bovinus
-Cyprinodon diabolis
-Cyprinodon elegans
-Cyprinodon macularis
-Cyprinodon nevadensis mionectes
-Cyprinodon nevadensis pectoralis
-Cyprinodon radiosus
-Empetrichthys latos
CITES Regulations: Brazilian killifish: Specifically no killifish from Brazil will be allowed in the Show, Auction or SWAP.