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
    11,172

Recent Threads

October 11, 2025 - CCA Double Speaker Feature & Biggest Auction of The Year!

For our October 11 Meeting we return to our regular location at

JOHN F KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL:

1901 Randolph Rd, Wheaton-Glenmont, MD 20902




October 11, 2025 Double Speaker Feature and Mega Auction:​

Mati Garcia of Uruguay Fish Tours and Zenzo Tazawa of Aquarium Co-Op!



For October's meeting, we will first hear from Mati Garcia who is visiting all the way from Uruguay to share his experiences and adventures with Uruguay Fish Tours, which gives individuals from around the world unique and unforgettable opportunities to go on fish collecting expeditions in Uruguay.


F9bdkNe.jpeg

Mati Garcia​

Then, we will enjoy a Mega Auction/Raffle extravaganza! Many generous organizations and businesses across the country have donated amazing auction/raffle items. Club members will also have an opportunity to auction fish and equipment. You won't want to miss out on this great chance to grab some amazing fish and equipment at unbeatable prices! (Anyone present can purchase items, only club members can sell).

Finally, we will end our time together with the one and only Zenzo Tazawa of Aquarium Co-Op!!! Zenzo is joining us from California to share his knowledge in his talk titled “My Aquarium Journey and Where it Has Led Me.” Zenzo is widely recognized as an expert in the hobby and gives talks sharing his passion at large and smaller events across the country.

mXNRoFE.png

Zenzo Tazawa​





October Schedule:​



  • 12:30 PM Meeting starts/Socializing
  • 1:00 PM Mati Garcia
  • 2:00 PM Break
  • 2:15 PM Auction and Raffle
  • 4:30 Break
  • 4:45 Zenzo Tazawa
  • 5:45 Wrap up
  • Join us for dinner with the speakers at a local restaurant afterwards

In person October 11, 2025 CCA Group Auction @ John F. Kennedy High School: 1901 Randolph Rd, Wheaton-Glenmont, MD 20902

BIGGEST CCA AUCTION OF THE YEAR!

We have created an auction for the October 11, 2025 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.

October 11, 2025 meeting - call for volunteers!

We've got an all day meeting with TWO speakers and a MEGA auction scheduled for our October meeting on the 11th. We need your help! If you can help with any of the following activities (or in any other way), please send me a note!
  • Set up/break down
  • Runners for the auction
  • Food station
  • Raffle/auction assistance

Thank you!

September 2025 POTM Voting! Call for October Photos!

We have SIX photos up for the title of the CCA September Picture of the Month Champion! The winner will receive $10 to use at the GIANT October auction! Vote for your favorite using the attached poll. Voting concludes at the end of the month!

Well done CCA!

Photo A - Ancistrus and Watermelon
2025_09_Catfish.jpg


Photo B - Electric Blue Everglades Crayfish
2025_09_Electric_blue_Everglades_Crayfish.jpg


Photo C - Green Pinoy Angelfish
2025_09_Green_Pinoy.jpg


Photo D - Lurking White Sturgeon
2025_09_White_Sturgeon.jpg

Photo E - LDA074 Ancistrus with Massive Beard
2025_09_LDA074.jpeg

Photo F - Neon Swordtails in a Planted Aquarium
2025_09_Swordtails.jpeg

Axolotls FS

I have 4 young (unsexed) adult axolotls available. They were born in February and raised here by us. Around 6" long and eating soft pellets and live worms. Asking for $30 each or $100 for all 4.

Online statistics

Members online
1
Guests online
39
Total visitors
40

Forum statistics

Threads
11,910
Messages
115,428
Members
8,020
Latest member
DeanKoppere
Top