7/16/2023 0 Comments Tetra glofish![]() ![]() As I write this, the brand is currently marketing its “Mardi Gras collection” on its website, comprising two Moonrise Pink tetras, two Galactic Purple tetras, and two Sunburst Orange tetras, to commemorate the festive occasion.ĭespite opposition from groups like the Center for Food Safety, the glowing fish made their way to American store shelves with a stamp of approval from officials who claimed that the captive fish posed no threat to wildlife or the food supply. The patented technology eventually caught the eye of the company that would ultimately create and trademark the GloFish, available now in zebrafish, tetras, danios, sharks, and barbs. They inserted fluorescent jellyfish genes into zebrafish, creating the first iteration of glowing freshwater fish. At the turn of the 21st century, scientists from Singapore were attempting to engineer fish who could glow in the presence of certain environmental toxins as a biomarker for pollutants. But their journey to pet store shelves was not quite intentional. These fish were among the first genetically modified animals to have been made available on a commercial scale. Toying with living beings this way hardly seemed harmless. It read like an advertisement for a new car. They get their stunning color from a fluorescence gene and are best viewed under a blue light.” They inherit their harmless, lifelong color from their parents. And the pet industry lapped it up–but at what cost?Ī couple years ago I stumbled upon the GloFish® website–yes, trademark and all–and I was transfixed by the words: “GloFish® fluorescent fish are born brilliant! They are not painted, injected or dyed. But for people who are itching to adorn their homes with vibrant fish, science came up with an easy solution: fluorescent freshwater fish. And the havoc the exotic fish trade wreaks on tropical sea life is no secret. ![]() Saltwater aquariums, though prized for their glorious colors and living reefs, are a massive undertaking. ![]()
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