Spawn logs and submissions

A spawn log is how every Breeder Award Program entry begins. You open it before your fish spawn, add five stages of photo evidence as they happen, then submit it for review. You need to be a Society member in good standing.

How do I open a spawn log?

1. Go to Breeder Program and click the species you're breeding in the list under Pick what you're breeding. (Or click Or open a blank log, or Open a log on Spawn Logs.)
2. On Open a spawn log, check the Species. If you came from the list, it's already chosen, with its point value. Click Change to pick another.
3. Optionally fill in Setup notes (optional): tank size, water, how many you're pairing.
4. Click Open the log.

You're taken to your new log. Opening it issues your challenge code and starts the clock. Stage 1 is a photo of the pair in the tank, with that code on a card beside it, before anything has happened.

How do I choose a species that isn't listed?

In the Species search box, type the name. If nothing matches, choose the last row, Not on the list, I'll type it. A box appears: What are you breeding? Enter the common or scientific name (whatever you typed in the search is carried over). Anything not on the point list gets classified before judging.

The species search matches common and scientific names anywhere in the word, so "apisto" and "Apistogramma" find the same fish. It shows the first 60 species until you type. Use the arrow keys and Enter to pick, and Escape to close.

Where do I find my challenge code?

While your log is in progress, it's shown in large letters at the top of the log under Your challenge code, along with the reminder: "Write this on a card and keep it visible in your stage 1 and stage 5 photos." It also appears on the Spawn Logs list next to each log. When you're about to log stage 1 or 5, the uploader repeats it: "Write [code] on a card and have it visible in the photo."

How do I log a stage?

Open your log from Spawn Logs. The next stage is highlighted.

1. Optionally type Notes for this stage (optional).
2. Click Add photo and choose one or more photos. They preview as thumbnails; nothing uploads yet. Tap the X on a thumbnail to remove it.
3. Check the photos carefully. Once logged, a stage can't be replaced.
4. Click Log stage [number]. It shows "Uploading..." while it works.

You can add up to 4 photos per stage and need at least 1. iPhone HEIC photos work; photos are converted and resized automatically before upload.

Why is my next stage locked?

Stages unlock in order, and some need time to pass:

• Stage 2 (Spawn) can be logged any time after stage 1.
• Stage 3 (Free-swimming fry) unlocks 3 days after stage 2.
• Stage 4 (30-day grow-out) unlocks 25 days after stage 3.
• Stage 5 (60-day grow-out) unlocks 25 days after stage 4.

While you wait, the stage shows "Unlocks in [number] days, on [date]." Stages after the next one show a lock icon. The waiting time is enforced on our side too, so there's no way around it.

What do the stage checkmarks and dates mean?

Logged stages turn green with a checkmark, the date they were logged, your note and your photos. The highlighted stage is the one you can log now. Locked stages are grayed out. Your log's list row shows how many of the 5 stages are done, for example 3/5.

How do I submit my spawn log for review?

When all five stages are logged, a box appears: All five stages logged. It explains: "Submitting sends this for review, to three members chosen at random, or to the judge while the Society is still small. Nothing can be added, changed or withdrawn afterwards." Click Submit for review.

What does each spawn log status mean?

• In progress: open, still collecting stages.
• Submitted: sent in, waiting to be routed.
• Peer review: with peer reviewers. Your log says whether it's with "three peer reviewers" or with "peer reviewers, every one must approve." Reviews are blind and each reviewer has seven days.
• With the judge: the judge is ruling on it. A short reason may show why it's there.
• Approved: it passed. You see the points awarded.
• Rejected: shown as Not approved.
• Under appeal: "Your appeal is with the judge. Their ruling is final."
• Withdrawn: no longer active.

What do I see when my spawn log is decided?

The result box at the top of your log shows:

• Approved, [points] points, plus "First in Society" if it set the record, with a Download your breeder certificate button.
• Or Not approved.
• The judge's note, if there was one.
• Each reviewer's vote, listed as "Reviewer 1: approved," "Reviewer 2: denied" or "sent to the judge," with their written reason in quotes. You never see who the reviewers were.

The site doesn't send a separate notification when a log is decided, so check your log or Spawn Logs.

How do I appeal a rejected spawn log?

You can appeal once, and only if peer reviewers rejected it (a judge's ruling can't be appealed).

1. Open the rejected log. Under the result you'll see "Think the panel got it wrong? You can appeal once, within [number] days."
2. Click Appeal to the judge.
3. Point to exactly what the reviewers missed, for example "The code is in the stage 5 photo, bottom left, behind the heater."
4. Your reason must meet the minimum length. A counter underneath shows your progress (for example "12/20 characters minimum"); File appeal stays disabled until you reach it.
5. Click File appeal.

The status changes to Under appeal. The judge's ruling on it is final.

Can I edit, delete or withdraw a spawn log?

• Stages: once a stage is logged, its photos and note can't be replaced or edited.
• Setup notes and species: can't be changed after you open the log.
• Submitted logs: nothing can be added, changed or withdrawn after you click Submit for review.
• In-progress logs: there's no delete or withdraw button. If a spawn fails, leave the log as it is and open a new one for your next attempt.

If you made a genuine mistake (for example, the wrong species), email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

What is My Submissions for?

My Submissions lists your award entries with a program label, date, points for approved ones (like +15) and a status of Approved, In review or Rejected. New entry opens a new spawn log. For the stage-by-stage view of a spawn log, including reviewer votes and appeals, use Spawn Logs.

What does the judge see on a spawn log?

Society judges get a Judge's Desk in the member area menu listing entries waiting on them, with the member's name and the peer votes so far. Opening one shows a Judge's ruling panel above the stages with:

• Why it's here: the reason it reached the judge.
• Member's appeal: your appeal text, if you appealed.
• Points: filled in with the species' list value, or blank ("Not on the list") for unlisted species.
• Note (the member reads this): required to reject, or to set points off the list.
• Approve and Reject buttons.

Rulings are final and can't be appealed. First in Society records get the 50% bonus automatically on approval. A judge never rules on their own entries.

Can other members see my spawn logs?

While you're working on a log, only you see its controls. Reviewers assigned to your entry see its species, code, setup notes, stage photos, notes and dates, without your name. The judge sees entries that reach the judge's desk. Your public profile shows the breeder certificates you've earned, not your logs.

Common problems

"Pick the species you're breeding, or choose Not on the list." Choose a species from the search list, or pick Not on the list, I'll type it.

"Name the species you're breeding." You chose Not on the list but left What are you breeding? empty.

"The log didn't come back. Try again." or "Couldn't open the log." The log wasn't created. Try again in a moment.

"Add at least one photo first." A stage needs at least one photo. Click Add photo.

"Up to 4 photos per stage." You picked more than four. Only the first ones that fit were added. Remove extras or keep the best four.

My photo won't upload. Try a JPG or PNG, check your connection, and try again. Photos from iPhones (HEIC) are supported.

I uploaded the wrong photo to a stage. Stages can't be replaced once logged. Explain in the next stage's notes, or email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

I don't see the Appeal button. Appeals are only offered once, for logs rejected by peer reviewers, within the appeal window. Judge rulings and second appeals aren't possible.

The member area won't open. Your dues may have lapsed. Your logs are safe. See Society dues and renewal.