Do not support dyed fish

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-31-2007, 04:32 PM

The artificial coloration of fishes by dyeing, painting, juicing (the injection of dye via a needle) and feeding of dye containing foods is becoming common place in the aquarium industry.

This is a ethically disgraceful practice and should be banned. The physical painting of fish, involves several dips in caustic solutions (acid) to remove the fishes natural protection - it's slime coat, so it may be "painted" on. The injection of dye using a needle into the tissue of fishes is also a fairly common practice and can be seen clearly on albino corydoras and tetras.

These cruel practices result in the death of many fish and those that survive the process are far more susceptible to diseases due to weakening of their natural immunity. I have listed and included photographs of dyed and artificially colored fishes below. Please do not buy these fishes as this supports this practice. Complaints to the owner of the Local Fish Store (LFS) may also help to discourage this cruelty practice.

I, for one, do not understand the appeal of these gaudily colored fishes, although I believe many people buy them believing these colors to be naturally occurring. These artificial dyes tend to fade over 8-12 months, although many juiced fish do not survive this long. You can often find the dyed tetra in stores such as Walmart and those dyed blue are already nearly faded by the time you buy them. The life span of dyed fish are shortened greatly as well as hundreds perish during the process of the dying process.

Dyed Blood Parrots, Dyed Tetras, Dyed coreys shown below.

The dyed blood parrot (known as bubblegums) are purple, red/hot pink, bright yellow, lime green and blue, made by dips in caustic solutions (acid). I feel a pity for them as I do any fish that has been dyed.

**zackish** · 10-31-2007, 05:26 PM

That is sick....a bit too colorful for me though. I appreciate the natural colors more.

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-31-2007, 06:19 PM

I think dyed fish are UGLY. Man, if I want jelly beans, I will buy the ones I can eat.

**Fishalicious** · 10-31-2007, 06:50 PM

I applaud this sticky

Only if people stop buying will the traders stop as there will be no market for them

It is disgusting that there are no firmer laws in place to stop this practise comletely as it is pure animal cruelty.

Let's also not forget the poor tatooed or baloon'd fish that are making the rounds on the market... in the balloon version many severly deformed fish are born and dumped and time and time again bred with until they get to the balloon version you get in the shops - so hundreds of fish have died or been born with sever disabilities before you get the finished product in the shop (balloon rams and kissing gourami's at the moment)

Big cheer to Lady Hobbs

**digital3** · 10-31-2007, 07:13 PM

That's just messed up...

It boils down to research & education. Some people just don't realize what it is they're purchasing. It happens too many times with pets, whether it be fish, dogs or whatever. People treat these things like off-the-shelf consumer items, and don't realize that they are purchasing a living organism that needs to be properly cared for...

Peace.

**Decay** · 03-03-2010, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by digital3

That's just messed up...

It boils down to research & education. Some people just don't realize what it is they're purchasing.

Peace.

u r right, i have a roommate and buys everything without thinking, once he bought colored fish thinking it is it's natural color. u can imagine how much I sreamed at him!!!

**Blue Ram** · 01-18-2008, 12:59 AM

I prefer the natural colors myself.

**RichBowyer** · 10-31-2007, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

.....can be seen clearly on albino corydoras and tetras.

Please clarify as many of these things are new to me. Your saying albino corys get dyed and not that they are dyed albino. Is that right? My plain white, red-eyed albino corys are undyed?