Tri-State Goldfish Council Show

The Goldfish Council is excited to continue expanding opportunities for goldfish enthusiasts across the United States with the inaugural Tri-State Goldfish Council Show, taking place Saturday, August 22, 2026, during Koi Fest at Fitz’s Fish Ponds in Milford, New Jersey.

Hosted by Fitz’s Fish Ponds in partnership with The Goldfish Council, this TGC-sanctioned show brings competitive fancy goldfish to one of the region’s premier aquatic events and creates another opportunity for hobbyists, breeders, exhibitors, and the general public to experience the goldfish hobby firsthand.

The Goldfish Show will be held at the Fitz’s Fish Ponds Koi Farm, located at 610 Little York Mount Pleasant Road in Milford, New Jersey. Exhibitors will check in their fish on Friday, August 21, from noon until 4:00 p.m., with official judging beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The show and fish exhibit will remain open to Koi Fest attendees throughout the day.

A total of 24 show tanks will make up this inaugural event. Exhibitors may reserve up to five tanks per household, with as many as four goldfish permitted per tank, provided the tanks are not overstocked. All entries will be exhibited and evaluated according to The Goldfish Council’s show standards, health requirements, and exhibition guidelines.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be TGC’s open-reasoning judging format. Certified Goldfish Council judges will evaluate the entries using official TGC standards and scorecards while spectators have the opportunity to listen to the judges discuss the qualities of the fish in front of them. It provides a unique look inside the judging process and turns the show floor into an educational experience for everyone from longtime breeders to someone seeing a competitive goldfish show for the very first time.

Visitors can expect to see an impressive cross-section of the goldfish hobby, including Ranchu, Oranda, Ryukin, Veiltails, Butterfly Goldfish, Telescope varieties, single-tail goldfish, and more.

Competition will culminate in several major honors, including Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, The Goldfish Council Award, Variety Awards, Specialty Awards, and Audience Choice Awards.

The celebration will continue Saturday evening with the Koi & Goldfish Show Banquet and Awards Night from 5:00–9:00 p.m. The ticketed banquet will bring together exhibitors, judges, hobbyists, and industry professionals as awards from both the Goldfish Show and Tri-State ZNA Koi Show are presented.

Of course, the goldfish show is only one part of a much larger weekend. Koi Fest 2026 will also feature the Tri-State ZNA Koi Show, a Japanese-style koi auction, vendors, aquatic plants and pond products, educational exhibits, live music, food, family activities, giveaways, raffles, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow fish enthusiasts.

For The Goldfish Council, events like this are about much more than ribbons and trophies. They give us an opportunity to introduce new people to the incredible diversity of goldfish, educate hobbyists about proper standards and husbandry, bring breeders and keepers together, and continue growing the competitive goldfish hobby throughout North America.

We are proud to partner with Fitz’s Fish Ponds to bring a TGC-sanctioned goldfish show to Koi Fest for the first time, and we look forward to seeing exhibitors and goldfish enthusiasts from throughout the region in New Jersey.

Whether you are bringing some of your best fish to compete, coming to learn more about judging and breed standards, or simply want to see some outstanding goldfish in person, make plans to join The Goldfish Council at Koi Fest 2026.

2026 Tri-State Goldfish Council Show

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Public Viewing & Judging: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Awards Banquet: 5:00–9:00 p.m.

Fitz’s Fish Ponds Koi Farm

610 Little York Mount Pleasant Road

Milford, New Jersey 08848

More info go to Fitz’s website

https://fitzfishponds.com/2026-goldfish-show/