# Painted fish > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Painted_fish > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Painted_fish.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_fish > Source revision: 1351445537 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Artificially coloured aquarium fish}} right|thumb|200px|Painted ''Parambassis ranga'' specimen. A needle was used to inject the pink dye in this example. {{Animal rights sidebar}} '''Painted fish''' are ornamental [aquarium](/source/aquarium) [fish](/source/fish) which have been artificially coloured to appeal to consumers. This artificial colouring, also known as '''juicing''', is achieved by a number of methods, such as [injecting](/source/Injection_(medicine)) the fish with a [hypodermic](/source/hypodermic) [syringe](/source/syringe) containing bright fluorescent colour [dye](/source/dye), dipping the fish into a dye solution, or feeding the fish dyed food. This controversial process is usually done to make the fish a brighter colour and more attractive to consumers. The colouring of the fish is not permanent, and usually fades away in six to nine months. This practice is distinct from the creation of [genetically modified fish](/source/genetically_modified_fish), whose colouring is passed on genetically and is permanent. ==Methods== There are a number of methods for introducing artificial colour into fish. ===Dyes=== A common method of creating "painted fish" is through dye injection via syringe. Generally, [fish](/source/fish) are injected multiple times.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=72 |title=Why it's cruel to dye |magazine=Practical Fishkeeping |author=Dr Stan MacMahon and Dr Peter Burgess |date=March 1998 |access-date=April 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217020559/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=72 |archive-date=December 17, 2008 }} Fish may also be dipped in a caustic solution to strip their outer [slime coat](/source/Fish_anatomy), then dipped in dye. These methods are reported to have a very high mortality rate.{{cite web | url = http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/paintedfish.htm | title = Death by Dyeing | publisher = About.Com | author = Shirlie Sharp | access-date = May 19, 2006 | archive-date = December 11, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161211044420/http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/paintedfish.htm | url-status = dead }} Many varieties of "colour-enhancing" [foods](/source/fish_food) for aquarium fishes are available to the consumer. Generally, these foods contain natural dyes, such as [beta-carotene](/source/beta-carotene), and are not harmful to fish, although, as with other dye methods, the effect is temporary. One source reports that harmful dyes are sometimes used by wholesalers, however. ===Lasers=== Fish can also be tattooed using a low-intensity [laser](/source/laser) with a dye, a process that was developed by scientists for fisheries but is now applied to ornamental fish.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=850 | title = Company offers custom fish tattoos with laser | magazine = Practical Fishkeeping | date = 2006-02-23 | access-date = 2006-05-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060411233415/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=850 |archive-date = 2006-04-11}} ===Hormones=== Hormone administration can sometimes increase colouration, although it can also render female fish infertile.http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/steroids.html thekrib.com ===Genetic modification=== {{Further|Genetically modified organism}} Introduction of genes for fluorescent pigments, derived from corals and jellyfish, results in permanent colouration that is also passed on to offspring, without the need to inject or physically modify the fish themselves. Aquarium fish genetically modified to fluoresce in bright colours under white or [ultraviolet light](/source/ultraviolet_light) are now available commercially, under the trade name [GloFish](/source/GloFish). The technology was originally developed to produce a fish capable of detecting environmental [pollution](/source/pollution).{{cite web | title = GloFish: First Genetically Modified Pet in U.S. | publisher = The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology | year = 2004 | url = http://pewagbiotech.org/buzz/display.php3?StoryID=118 | access-date = 2006-12-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070714121639/http://pewagbiotech.org/buzz/display.php3?StoryID=118 | archive-date = 2007-07-14 | url-status = dead }} These [zebrafish](/source/zebrafish) and [tetra](/source/tetra)s are available in several fluorescent colours, protected by a United States [patent](/source/patent).{{cite web | title = United States Patent 7,135,613 | date = November 14, 2006 | url = http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,135,613&OS=7,135,613&RS=7,135,613 | access-date = 2006-12-10 | archive-date = 2019-03-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190309204025/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,135,613&OS=7,135,613&RS=7,135,613 | url-status = dead }} ==Varieties== [[Image:Painted Blood Parrot Cichilds2.jpg|thumb|200px|Painted [blood parrot cichlid](/source/blood_parrot_cichlid)s]] Some species, such as albino [Corydoras](/source/Corydoras) and "painted" glassfish, are injected with dye using a [hypodermic needle](/source/hypodermic_needle). In more recent times (2004-2005), injection dyed albino [Plecostomus](/source/Plecostomus) and rift lake [cichlids](/source/cichlids) have also become available. Other than the Indian Glassy Fish, most dyed fish are albinos. ===Some commonly painted species=== *[Indian glassy fish](/source/Indian_glassy_fish) (''Parambassis ranga''). Tradename: Painted glassfish; Disco Fish; Colored Glass Tetra; Lightbulb tetra. *[Black tetra](/source/Black_tetra) (''Gymnocorymbus ternetzi''). Tradenames: Berry Tetra; Painted Tetra. *[Oscar](/source/Oscar_(fish)) (''Astronautus ocellatus''). Tradenames: Blueberry Oscar; Strawberry Oscar. *''[Corydoras](/source/Corydoras)'' species *African Rift Lake [cichlid](/source/cichlid)s, such as ''Pseudotropheus''. Tradenames: Ice Blue Albino Cichlid; Zebra Ice Albino Cichlid. *[Suckermouth catfish](/source/Plecostomus) (''Hypostomus plecostomus''). Tradenames: Patriotic Suckerfish; Mixed Color Suckerfish. *[Blood parrot cichlid](/source/Blood_parrot_cichlid) (''Amphiliphus citrinellus'' x ''Heros severus''). Tradenames: Jellybean Cichlid; Cotton Candy Cichlid. *[Goldfish](/source/Goldfish) (''Carassius auratus''). Tradenames: Jellybeans; Icepops.{{cite web | url = http://www.deathbydyeing.org/colormedead.htm | title = Shades of Death | access-date = 2006-05-19}} ==Health hazards to painted fish== A 1998 survey carried out in the South of England revealed that over 40% of painted [glassfish](/source/Indian_glassy_fish) showed signs of a ''[Lymphocystis](/source/Lymphocystis)'' infection, compared to 10% of unpainted glassfish. The infection may have been caused by transmitting the virus from fish to fish via an infected needle, or by a reduced resistance to the infection due to stress from the injection process. In addition, fishes injected with dye often die without apparent external disease symptoms, presumably due to kidney disease caused by injection.{{cite web|url=http://www.edas.com.au/EDAS-Editorials.htm#PaintedAngels |title=What's wrong with a painted angel? |author=Jim Greenwood, B.V.Sc. |publisher=Eastern Districts Aquarium Society |access-date=2009-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208055649/http://www.edas.com.au/EDAS-Editorials.htm |archive-date=December 8, 2007 }} ==Efforts to stop fish-painting== Some members of the aquarium trade want to ban this practice. For example, the British publication ''[Practical Fishkeeping](/source/Practical_Fishkeeping)'' started a campaign in 1996 to ask retailers to stop selling dyed fish, which led to a significant decrease in the number sold in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom). ''Practical Fishkeeping'' has launched a similar campaign with a global scope and maintains a register of stores which do not stock dyed fish.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/campaign.php | title = Dyed Fish Campaign | magazine = Practical Fishkeeping | access-date = 2006-05-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060214021536/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/campaign.php |archive-date = 2006-02-14}} The [Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals](/source/Royal_Society_for_the_Prevention_of_Cruelty_to_Animals) (RSPCA) regards the practice as cruel and unnecessary cosmetic [mutilation](/source/mutilation). A campaign in Australia and in the UK has limited the sale of these fish. Dyed fish are still available and are generally imported from [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia). In February 2006, the UK's [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs](/source/Department_for_Environment%2C_Food_and_Rural_Affairs) (Defra) confirmed that it would not be making it illegal to sell dyed fish in the UK under the Animal Welfare Bill.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=848 | title = Dyed fish to remain legal | magazine = Practical Fishkeeping | date = 2006-02-17 | access-date = 2006-05-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060303055641/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=848 |archive-date = 2006-03-03}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==Related Sites== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070629153216/http://www.petstoreabuse.com/paintedfish.html Painfully Painted Fish] {{Aquarium}} Category:Fishkeeping Category:Animal welfare Category:Cruelty to animals --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Painted fish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_fish) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_fish?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.