From November 13 to 16, 2025, the 29th China International Pet Show (CIPS 2025) concluded successfully in Guangzhou. With the theme of "INFINITY", this show brought together elites from the global pet and aquarium industry, demonstrating the vitality and innovation of the sector. Through more than 30 international competitions and events, it built a platform for the industry to connect with the world and explore the future, showcasing the infinite possibilities of the aquarium industry.

1. Aquarium Grand Gathering of Talents · Jointly Exploring New Journeys for the Industry

This Aquarium Industry Development Conference was co-hosted by CIPS and the Ornamental Fish International (OFI). It brought together global leaders and senior experts in the aquarium industry, with the dual themes of "Anchoring Trends from a Global Perspective and Implementing Paths through Regional Practices", to conduct an in-depth analysis of the breakthrough directions for the aquarium industry in the new development cycle.

The conference focused on four core topics—market structure iteration, trade policy dynamics, sustainable development implementation, and technological innovation application—for in-depth discussions, and clearly conveyed the signal of industrial transformation: amid multiple variables such as geopolitical games, fluctuations in tariff policies, and new animal welfare regulations, the aquarium industry is undergoing structural restructuring. Sustainable development has emerged as a core barrier for enterprises, and the industry is building a new development framework suitable for the future through technological iteration, full-link digital traceability, and compliant operations.

2. KOL Collaboration · Online-Offline Resonance

This year, Douyin Mall collaborated deeply with CIPS for the first time, creating online-offline interactive activities around the theme of "New Aquarium Trends". During the exhibition, many top and mid-tier aquarium KOLs made on-site appearances, sharing exhibition tour vlogs, displaying high-aesthetic fish tanks, and exchanging fish-keeping experiences. The popularity of online content continued to rise, attracting attention from the aquarium community and further expanding public participation.

3. Fish Competitions · A Hundred Schools of Thought Contend

The Beauty of Arowanas: The Oscars of the Aquarium Industry —— CIPS Global Arowana Championship

Co-created by the Arowana Branch of China Fisheries Association and CIPS, the CIPS Global Arowana Championship is hailed as the most professional and influential top-tier event in the global aquarium industry, defining the evaluation criteria for high-end ornamental fish. In 2025, the scale and innovation of the event were comprehensively upgraded, with the number of participating fish hitting a record high. Meanwhile, the "Sponsor Conference" and "Arowana Audition Conference" were introduced for the first time, driving industry upgrading from multiple dimensions. This event reflects the latest trends in the live fish trade, provides market references for practitioners, points out directions for collectors and hobbyists, boosts the development of professional fish tanks, equipment and related industrial chains, and has become a concentrated embodiment of the value and technology of the aquarium industry.

Phantom of Tiger Patterns: A Tiny Universe —— CIPS Global Tigerfish Championship

Since the launch of the first tigerfish competition in 2023, tigerfish have gained great popularity among enthusiasts worldwide thanks to their unique tiger patterns and friendly interactive traits. For this year’s CIPS Global Tigerfish Championship, in view of the tigerfish’s characteristics of being sensitive to water quality, environment and temperature, high-standard water purification and light-temperature control guarantees were provided, presenting a professional display feast for the industry.

Grace of Stingrays: Underwater Art —— CIPS Global Stingray Championship

Renowned for its stringent technical requirements, the CIPS Global Stingray Championship added a new "Crown Black & WhitePattern Category" this year, further enriching the competition dimensions. Through the perfect integration of scientific breeding concepts and top-tier equipment, the event not only showcased the unique charm of stingrays as "underwater works of art" but also promoted the standardized and professional development of the high-end stingray market.

Grace of Bettas: Miniature Elegance —— CIPS Global Betta Championship

The CIPS Global Betta Championship was co-hosted by CIPS and the Small Ornamental Fish and Shrimp Branch of China Fisheries Association, attracting top breeders and cultivators from around the world. The competition was divided into 5 major groups and 30 sub-groups, officiated by internationally certified referees, with scores counted into the International Betta Congress (IBC) system to ensure professional standards. Through offline displays, audiences were able to appreciate the beauty of bettas up close, while also providing a communication platform for enthusiasts and industry insiders, which promoted the dissemination of ornamental fish culture and stimulated public interest and enthusiasm for small ornamental fish.

Rhythm of Medaka: Graceful Top-Down View —— CIPS Global Medaka Championship

The 2nd edition of the 2025 CIPS Global Medaka Championship gathered top domestic breeders to showcase their independent breeding achievements. Medaka are small in size, lively and easy to raise, and are particularly fascinating when viewed from above—their fin shapes, body colors and swimming postures are clearly visible, and every turn and tail flick is like a dance in the water. The event attracted a large number of audiences who squatted down to watch, allowing them to intuitively experience the vivid charm of small ornamental fish.

4. Fish Exhibitions · A Hundred Flowers Blooming

Koi Reflections: The Beauty of National Essence —— China Famous Koi Display

On this occasion, CIPS joined hands with the Guangdong Koi Association to present China's famous and high-quality koi. Well-known fish farms such as Jiali Fish Farm, Tuanhe Fish Farm and Zhiming Koi brought a variety of premium koi with rich colors and diverse forms.

The on-site koi ponds were built by Shanshu Natural Ecological Technology, equipped with intelligent control, water quality monitoring and ecological filtration systems, presenting an "ecology + intelligence" courtyard water feature solution. It has become a major eye-catching check-in spot, while helping to spread koi culture and inject new impetus into the industry.

Clownfish Gala: Debut at CIPS —— The 3rd Asian Clownfish Championship

The 3rd Asian Clownfish Championship made its debut in China. Co-hosted by CIPS and 36 Hai Yang Pte Ltd, the event received full water treatment technical support from Guozhi Aquarium.

It was divided into three major categories: Black-edged Ocellaris, Ocellaris, and Hybrid/Wild. A jury composed of experts from multiple countries conducted strict evaluations on the health, body color, and morphology of the participating clownfish. The championship gathered high-quality clownfish individuals and professional breeders across Asia, showcased the characteristics of diverse varieties, provided a platform for learning and communication, and promoted the improvement of clownfish breeding standards and the development of the related market.

Cichlids: Color and Culture —— Cichlids and Derivatives Show

CIPS has joined hands with "Fengzhi Yangyu" and the CEA Cichlid Club to showcase live cichlids from the derivatives and their related merchandise. On-site, a combination of natural-style aquascapes replicating the cichlids’ native habitats and cultural derivatives (such as T-shirts, books, and badges) was presented. Interactive sessions allowed audiences to learn about the species’ characteristics and cultural connotations, promoting the development of the domestic cichlid industry and the dissemination of aquarium culture.

5. Boundless Aquascaping · Infinite Creativity

Aquascaping Masters: Craftsmanship on Site —— CIPS International Aquascaping Chontest (CIAC)

The CIPS International Aquascaping Contest (CIAC) was jointly founded by the Aquascaping Branch of China Fisheries Association and CIPS in 2016, aiming to gather aquascaping enthusiasts and stimulate their creative passion. In 2025, the competition received 680 entries from 28 countries and regions, covering three major categories: Aquascape, Most Beautiful Aquatic Plants, and Best Biological Configuration.

On-site at the exhibition, participating players, judges, experts, and aquascapers from around the world gathered together. Through events such as master shows, aquascaping assessments, and training sessions, it provided industry practitioners, aquascapers, and enthusiasts with opportunities for close observation and interaction. The award ceremony and celebration dinner further enriched the experience and promoted the innovative development of aquarium aquascaping.

Red Arowana Natural Habitat: Recreation of Nature —— CIPS Biotope Aquarium Contest (CBAC)

In 2018, ifish Aquarium, a leading enterprise in China's aquarium industry, and CIPS formed a powerful alliance to co-found and host this competition. Since its inception, the event has shouldered the important mission of leading the innovative development of China's aquarium aquascaping industry and promoting the widespread popularization of aquarium aquascaping culture. In 2025, the Aquascaping Branch of China Fisheries Association joined the event as a strategic partner, bringing significant adjustments to the competition. On the basis of the professional group, it innovatively added an enthusiast group and a merchant exchange group, providing display platforms for different types of hobbyists.

At the CIPS venue, the CIPS Biotope Aquarium Contest (CBAC) delivered a groundbreaking presentation—the first public debut of the Indonesian red arowana biotope tank, breaking the stereotypical impression of traditional bare-tank arowana keeping. Aquascapers Sun Kai and Mei Li Wang Shi (Beautiful Past) collaborated with arowana industry practitioner Ling Hongbiao to replicate the natural habitat of red arowanas from skeleton construction to overall scaping, presenting the wild charm and ecological aesthetics to the audience.

Marine Landscapes: Corals and Fish Dancing in Harmony —— CIPS International Marine Aquascaping Contest (CMAC)

The CIPS International Marine Aquascaping Contest (CMAC) was founded in 2017, co-hosted by the Marine Ornamental Organisms Branch of China Fisheries Association and CIPS. It is committed to promoting marine aesthetics and providing a professional communication and display platform for marine aquarium enthusiasts. The competition has three major awards: the Most Beautiful Coral Reef Aquascape, the Most Beautiful Marine Fish, and the Most Beautiful Coral. Through the competition and on-site ecological tank displays, audiences can intuitively experience the art of marine aquascaping, and it also provides a vivid scene for industry exchanges and popular science.

Open Landscapes: Boundless Creativity —— CIPS Open Ecological Aquarium Contest (COAC)

Newly launched at CIPS 2025 —— the CIPS Open Ecological Aquarium Contest (COAC) was supported by Shuiwu Tianxia Aquarium Supplies Co., Ltd. The competition encourages diverse creativity and emerging genres; after online preliminary selection, shortlisted works compete in the final round on-site at the exhibition. A dedicated observation and communication space was open simultaneously at the venue, where judges provided real-time comments, integrating creation with interaction. It showcased diverse landscapes such as aquatic-terrestrial, rainforest, and stream styles, making it an open competition that combines hobby learning with professional exchanges.

Fun Dialogues: Face-to-Face with Landscapers —— Aquatic Plants Landscapers and Their Friends

Co-created by Ledstar, the 2nd Aquatic Plants Landscapers and Their Friends was held in the form of an open salon, inviting aquatic plants landscapers from home and abroad to interact with aquarium enthusiasts. During the event, aquatic plants landscapers showcased natural aquascapes, biotopes and rainforest scapes, and shared their creative concepts and practical experience. Through Q&A sessions, discussions and interactive activities with prizes, enthusiasts experienced the aesthetics and professional charm of aquascaping in a relaxed atmosphere.

Conclusion

CIPS focuses on professional ornamental fish competitions and creative aquascaping, and is committed to building a communication platform integrating viewing, interaction and learning for aquarium enthusiasts and industry insiders. Professional visitors and practitioners can immerse themselves in the unique charm of the aquarium industry here, gain insights into industry trends, and stimulate innovative inspiration.

CIPS will further gather global industry wisdom and professional enthusiasm, demonstrate its innovation and leadership on the international stage, and inject sustained momentum and infinite possibilities into the future development of the industry.