Auction Rules

Monthly Mini-Auctions

Please try to bring something for the auction. If you can make it a donation, so much the better. It's our club. If we want to keep it healthy, we all need to play a role.

Monthly on-site meetings feature a mini-auction after the program and raffle. Mini-auctions generally last from about 3 - 4 pm. They are a great way to pick up some rare and unusual or particularly beautiful fish and aquatic plants from top breeders in the club.

General Participation Rules

  • Only CCA Members may enter items for sale in the monthly mini-auctions, and are encouraged to bring fish, plants, and related items.
  • Rules for the Mini-Auction are included in the auction rules.
  • Buyers: Cash (preferred), PayPal and a limited number of other electronic transfers are acceptable payment methods.
  • Sellers: Register your items at: www.mygroupauctions.com. Registration as a CCA member using your email is required.
  • Minimum bids may be specified. If the bid is not met and the seller is not present, the minimum is void.
  • Donations are always welcomed.

Mini-Auction Rules for the Seller

Registration & Labeling

All items must be registered in MGA and labeled with MGA information. Bringing labeled items is encouraged.

Description Requirements for Live Animals

Include the following in the "Description" field on MGA:

  • Species name (scientific and common, if applicable)
  • Quantity in bag
  • Sex if determinable

Labels must include the seller's email address. Mislabeled bags may be sold as donations at the discretion of CCA.

Terminology

  • PAIR – A male and female of a species
  • MATED PAIR – A pair that has successfully spawned
  • TRIO – Two females and one male
  • REVERSE TRIO – Two males and one female
  • COLONY – A mix of males and females

Item Eligibility

All items must be aquarium-related and legal for sale.

Bagging Guidelines

  • Double bagging of fish is strongly recommended.
  • Aggressive fish must be bagged separately and grouped together in a third bag.
  • Ziploc-type bags are not allowed for fish or plants.
  • Any container used will become part of the lot.
  • Improperly bagged fish will not be allowed in auctions.

A re-bagging station is available. CCA may reject unsuitable items (e.g., sick fish or illegal plants).

Dry Goods

All dry goods and aquatic equipment must state condition in the description. No wet substrate, opened food, or chemicals are allowed.

Other Seller Rules

  • Items cannot be removed once entered in the auction.
  • CCA, volunteers, and the auction site are not responsible for damages or injuries.
  • Only CCA members may receive auction proceeds. Non-members may donate or join at the meeting.
  • CCA takes $1 or 25%, whichever is greater. Junior members retain 100% of their proceeds.
  • Adults cannot sell using a junior's ID.
  • The auction order is randomized and cycles through sequentially.

Mini-Auction Rules for the Buyer

Eligibility & Responsibility

Members and non-members may purchase auction items. Buyers are responsible for their purchased items' safety. CCA, staff, and venue are not liable after purchase.

Item Conditions

All items are sold "as is, where is" with no guarantees. Please inspect before bidding. Ownership transfers immediately upon sale announcement.

All sales are final.

Re-bagging Station

A self-service re-bag station is available at no charge if needed.

Bidding

  • Minimum bid increment is $1.00.
  • Auctioneer determines bidding increments. All decisions are final.

Payments

Payment methods include cash (preferred), PayPal (3% fee), and limited electronic transfers (additional fees may apply). Tabs may be allowed with advance approval.

Post-Auction Care

Please acclimate fish and plants properly at home. Quarantine new fish for at least two weeks before adding them to a community tank.

Never release fish or aquatic plants into the wild.

  • Published
    Feb 3, 2022
  • Page views
    22,644

Recent Threads

In person June 13, 2026 - CCA Group Auction @ John F. Kennedy High School: 1901 Randolph Rd, Wheaton-Glenmont, MD 20902

June 13, 2026 CCA In-person Auction

We have created an auction for the June 13, 2026 in-person CCA meeting. Users of the website must register on the CCA MyGroupAuction website: mygroupauctions.com. Sellers are encouraged to upload a photo of the fish/item to be auctioned. These items can be viewed by all registered users before the auction.

CCA's board of directors has voted to allow the use of the minimum bid space on the MY GROUP AUCTIONS (MGA) website. Specifically the BOD approved the use of the minimum bid in the following manner: Bidding for any item with a minimum bid on its label will start at that amount and proceed as normal for any auction. If the minimum bid is not met, the owner of the item will take the item back into his possession. If the owner is not present to take back his item that did not sell, the minimum bid indicated on the label will not be in effect and so there will be no minimum bid on the item.

Please try to bring something for the auction. If you can make it a donation, so much the better. It's our club. If we want to keep it healthy, we all need to play a role.

If you have any questions, please ask.

FS: Fish & spiders

I can deliver to the June meeting or tou can pick up in Damascus, MD. Please plan to pick up before the talk gets started. There are links to photos for most items in the spreadsheet. If the row is hidden, it's out of stock.

FS: L333 juveniles

Yellow king tiger plecos
1"-1.5"
$15 each. 6 for $80
Pickup in Damascus, MD.

Anyone producing daphnia?

Frank Cowherd used to keep the club pretty well supplied at the auctions every month, but I guess he’s retired? I’m going to try to get a culture going at home but wanted to ask if anyone in the club was working with them. Thanks!

Easiest DIY substrate for planted tanks?

First my ‘Plants Anonymous’ statement. Hi, my name is Charlie and I murder plants. I used to solely keep tanganyikans and could only keep some java fern, anubias and some vals alive. I’m trying some community tanks with rainbow fish, tetras and rams. I’ve added some plants and been 50/50 at keeping them alive. I’ve upgraded the lights on some to the LED 24/7 auto cycle and that seems to help and some LED shop lights on others which are not as great but ok. I have sand in most of the tanks, so I’ve used some ceramic pots with open bottoms and foam to hold the plants with some root tabs.

I want to take the plunge and add plant substrates with a sand or gravel cap layer. I could use some advice on the best way to do it (I believe I need to relocate fish for the process) and where to source the material. I’ve got two 75’s, two 40 breeders, eventually a 125 and a couple 10’s or 15’s. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

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