Flourescent Cichlids

[Joller]

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2962&utm_source=PFK_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July_1_2010&utm_term=Fluorescent_cichlids_produced_in_Taiwan&utm_content=html

i'm not sure if this is old news but i found it very interesting, these fish are genetically modified instead of being died and thy look pretty cool

 

[Balloons&killies]

oh those look kinda cool. lol. but would they even be able to breed?

They said there guna be in stores in early 2012 someting lioke that...

 

[AstonN24vantage]

that angel is awesome ... if only it was around at the lfs now. hope flourescent fish arent expensive.

 

[Joller]

yeah i think it says thet they've bred 5 generations of convicts and the effect is still the same. i think its good because it could probably take alot away from pwoplw who dye fish, i do see how it would be bad if it was released back into the natural environment and tainting native fish. but when you think about it all the strains of angels that there are they're genetically modified already.

 

[PDSimon]

But they've mixed all sorts of fish here, not just bred 2 different cichlids together... doesn't seem right to me

 

[Wills]

But they've mixed all sorts of fish here, not just bred 2 different cichlids together... doesn't seem right to me

Their not hybrids, a few years ago some scientists transfered a gene from a jellyfish into some zebra danios and created glowfish and they have now put that gene into the eggs of these cichlids and these were created.

Pretty nice fish IMO just a shame they used convicts due to their compatibility in community tanks. A bit brain dead this morning and cant think but there must be something less aggressive and popular that would be more peaceful.

Wills

 

[star4]

Personally I think is a poor use of science just to mess with nature to produce glowing fish that wouldnt do it nauturally. Although I am an animal lover I am not totally against experiments on animals providing they are necessary, but this sort of thing has no medical or scientific benefit!

 

[ChilliPepper]

I don't like them at all, I like my fish to look as natural as possible. If I wanted a glow in the dark fish I'd buy a plastic toy

 

[Confish]

i suppose this could appeal to a night club lol but then there are all other things that would make it nt suitable for them like the noise ect.

 

[Glenbo1981]

I think they look stupid.

 

[shroob]

Don't mind them half as much as the deformed fish you see for sale every day eg. fancy goldfish.

From what I gather no pain is involved in this and its not detremental to the fish in any way. Its not my cup of tea as like a previous poster I prefer 'natual looking' fish, but I wouldn't have objections for these to go on sale (unlike dyed/tattooed fish). Though according to the link, they wont be on sale in the UK due to GM related laws.

 

[Glenbo1981]

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[Wills]

Glofish are massively illegal in the UK, I would consider reporting cos having anything in the UK with GM stuff in is really really bad.

Also though the gene has now been passed to these fish for cosmetic reasons lets not forget that the original glofish were created as a bi product of scientists trying to grow fish organs (with a view to growing human organs) from jellyfish genes. Which in my eyes is a pretty noble thing to be doing IMO.

And though I defend why they came about and I dont really have an issue with these kind of fish, Id never get them my self. I want me some of those new metalic blue angels with the stripes IMO the first fish strain that has improved on nature.

Wills

 

[PDSimon]

But they've mixed all sorts of fish here, not just bred 2 different cichlids together... doesn't seem right to me

Their not hybrids, a few years ago some scientists transfered a gene from a jellyfish into some zebra danios and created glowfish and they have now put that gene into the eggs of these cichlids and these were created.

Pretty nice fish IMO just a shame they used convicts due to their compatibility in community tanks. A bit brain dead this morning and cant think but there must be something less aggressive and popular that would be more peaceful.

Wills

Thats what I meant by mixed, I don't think they should be messing around with genes.

Totally agree with star and chilli here

 

[hamfist]

Personally, I don't like the look of them and, like others, I like my fish natural looking. However, I think a lot of people will find them cool.

Its a modification that will have no harmful effects on the fish at all. Also, if the population (and therefore the gene) gets released into the wild (which it eventually will) there would be such a negative natural selection on those individuals, as they would stand out so vividly to predators. The gene would therefore be extremely unlikely to ever get established in a wild population. I can't see there being a problem with it.

I am far happier about these fish than producing hybrids like blood parrots, who can't even close their mouths properly, or fancy fantail goldfish who can hardly swim.

Convict cichlids are a poor choice for the aquarium trade but a great choice to research on due to their hardiness and ease of breeding. Once the technology is established and proven, I'm sure it would be very easy to apply to other more aquarium-friendly species.
It'll be interesting to see where this goes.