The fascination of fish in all its facets

From fishing rods to ornamental fish: Aqua-Fisch will be opening its doors to aquarium, fly fishing, and angling enthusiasts for the 30th time from March 8 to 10, 2024. In Friedrichshafen, international exhibitors will be showcasing their latest products and trends relating to the colorful aquatic inhabitants. “We are already looking forward to becoming a meeting point and hub for a wide variety of communities at the beginning of the season. For the 30th anniversary of Aqua-Fisch, we will once again be presenting the full range of the aquarium and angling industry. Additionally, we will be rolling out our new Shrimp Day, which will include specialist lectures and an action area,” reports Project Manager Felix Klarmann. “The International Trade Show for Fishing, Fly Fishing and Aquaristic has become a popular gathering spot for enthusiasts due to its unique blend of shopping and events,” explains Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann.

Over the course of three days, two halls and the East Foyer will be transformed into a haven for fans of scaly and finned animals. The International Trade Show for Fishing, Fly Fishing and Aquaristic is a comprehensive event that features a diverse range of products and offers an exciting supporting program for enthusiasts interested in catching and keeping these captivating aquatic creatures. Experts will demonstrate their skills with the fishing rod in various test pools and share their extensive knowledge on bait selection and the art of shrimp breeding in fascinating presentations. The “RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival 2024” makes its grand return to Aqua-Fisch, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing world of fly fishing as they witness awe-inspiring nature footage projected onto the screen of the Berlin conference room. The world’s largest film festival of its kind begins on the Saturday of the trade fair at 3 pm. Admission is not included in the trade fair ticket price and costs 10 euros. Little fish fans will have a blast discovering and even touching the vibrantly colorful aquarium and terrarium inhabitants at the exhibition. Additionally, there will be a children’s cinema in Hall B5.

Shrimp Day: Spotlight on the shining stars of the invertebrate world

The Saturday of the fair will be dedicated to a select group of small, colorful decapods: In cooperation with the “Black Forest Shrimp Team” of the Working Group Invertebrates in Inland Waters (Arbeitskreis Wirbellose in Binnengewässern e.V. (AKWB)) and publishing house Dähne Verlag, Shrimp Day will be hosted for the first time. Exciting presentations at the Aquarium Forum will center around the care and breeding of these multifaceted invertebrates. For example, Ulli Bauer will provide insights on identifying, treating, and preventing shrimp diseases. Matthias Eßlinger will also offer valuable advice on optimal water treatment for shrimp aquariums. The action area with a theme of “20 Tanks for 20 Breeders” will feature well-known and acclaimed shrimp breeders, who will be exhibiting their most exquisite creatures and sharing insights into their breeding objectives and inspiration.

Explore and shop in a wonderland of vibrant aquariums

Hall B5 will be the place to be for all aquarium and terrarium enthusiasts. At this one-stop shop, visitors will be able to discover and purchase a wide range of ornamental fish, invertebrates, and corals, as well as food, lighting, and plants for creating an underwater world in one’s home. The Aquarium Club Multicolor Market will offer just the right fish for every aquarium. At the Betta Helvetia booth, fans of Siamese fighting fish will be able to learn all about how to set up the right environment for these feisty fish, shop for relevant accessories, and buy more bettas at an auction on Saturday and Sunday. Aquascaping workshops will offer a range of inspiration and design tips, along with many other valuable insights. For those who are interested in learning more about how to properly care for a variety of aquatic animals, the Aquaristic Forum in collaboration with Dähne Verlag will offer a wide-ranging lecture program in this regard. The Association of German Clubs for Aquarium and Terrarium Science (Verband deutscher Vereine für Aquarien- und Terrarienkunde), the Guppy Breeders of Germany (Guppy Züchter Deutschland), and local aquarium clubs will also be represented.

On the hook: Hands-on areas for novices and pros

In Hall A7, fishing fans of all ages will be able to indulge in their passion for fishing by casting their fishing and fly fishing rods in a range of test pools and in the dedicated casting area. During demonstrations by the European Fly Fishing Association (EFFA), visitors will be able to obtain practical tips and tricks on fishing techniques at the Fly Fishing Pool and try things out themselves by taking rod and reel in hand. There will also be the opportunity to try things out at the Bait & Lure Pool, where it will be possible to put spinners, flies, and other fish-attracting tools and accessories to the test. The FLYRUS Fly Fishing School will not only be bringing the “RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival” to the exhibition halls but also be offering valuable information about this unique fishing technique at their booth. In addition, attendees will be able to learn more about fly fishing through informative lectures on the main stage and at casting demonstrations at the Fly Fishing Pool. The State Fishing Association of Baden-Württemberg (Landesfischereiverband Baden-Württemberg (LFVBW)) will present native fish species in their exhibition tank, and information about the burbot will also be provided to visitors. The burbot, a nocturnal species that was once abundant in Baden-Württemberg, has been selected as Fish of the Year 2024. This designation aims to raise awareness about the diminishing populations of well-established burbot habitats due to the development of water bodies away from the natural state and the loss of essential spawning grounds.

Bait and fishing locations: Lectures provide valuable angling tips

On the podium of the Fishing Forum, seasoned experts will impart to their audience their wisdom on a wide range of topics, including angling techniques, fish species, fishing trips, and much more. In multiple presentations, Nico Hauschke of Capt’n Greenfin will emphasize that it is indeed possible to combine angling success with sustainability. The Swiss company has developed an innovative softbait material that is free of plastic and fully biodegradable upon tearing. Torsten Ahrens is an experienced traveler with a wide range of expertise in regard to adventure fishing expeditions. On Friday and Saturday, he will familiarize visitors with fishing in Norway, and on the Sunday of the show, he will be sharing insights on topics including the diversity of species found in Iceland.

Aqua-Fisch 2024 will be open from 9 am to 6 pm on Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9, and from 9 am to 10 pm on Sunday, March 5. The day ticket costs 12 euros online and 16 euros on-site. Child/youth tickets (aged 6 to 18 years) will be 7 euros online and 10 euros on-site. The family ticket will cost 29 euros online.