Gary revels in fishy business

Original story at the Bayside Bulletin

MOUNT Cotton’s Gary Parker will be getting up to some fishy business at this year’s Ekka, when he shows the exotic fish breeds, barbs, Congo tetras and crystal shrimp.

A fish breeder for more than 30 years, an Ekka judge five times, and winner of the Ekka champion and best exhibit of show awards several times each, Gary will also be a steward this year.

The City Farmers Capalaba manager said he was looking forward to speaking with show visitors about keeping and breeding fish.

“You can breed exotic fish to sell or you can breed them just for the fun of the hobby,” he said.

“Most people do it for the fun, especially if it’s a fish that’s difficult to breed, like discus.

“It’s a bit of a status symbol to be able to say you’ve bred them.”

Gary said he had successfully bred discus over the years, as well as many other fish breeds, including catfish, tetras, cichlids, and a range of salt water fish.

He said he hoped to see many Redlanders at the Ekka.

He invited locals who go to the show on People’s Day to watch for the fish stewards and judges in the Grand Parade.

“We parade with the cattle and the horses and everyone else,” he said.

“We have the champion fish in a jar, and we get the biggest cheer.”

Gary’s daughter, Katie Parker, 13, will join him as an Ekka competitor for the first time this year, competing in fish tank design and technique.

With such vast experience with fish, Gary, when asked for the definitive word on the aquatic animals, smiled and said: “Battered is better than crumbed”.