a rift

charming-eel:

fishcommunity:

Mod @thebrackishtank

It’s interesting because I had a conversation with a follower regarding these fish just yesterday. Despite the name “dyed” (which implies dipping), the coloration is caused by a process similar to getting a tattoo insofar that dye is injected into the fish. Unlike tattoos, which has the dye injected into the skin of humans, for fish it is injected into muscle. The process is done without anesthesia and a fair percentage of fish die in the weeks after injection due to bacterial infections.

Simply put, it’s not a good way to treat our aquatic friends and these types of fish should be avoided. Other fish at risk of this type of treatment are Flowerhorn and Parrot Cichlids, Mollies, Glassfish, Oscars, and White Skirt Tetras.

I just want to add that while most fish that are dyed are done via the injection method, they can also be “dip dyed” where the fish is submerged in a caustic solution that strips away the slime coat and sometimes the outer scale layer and are then dipped into colored dyes.
There are thousands of natural and selectively bred color morphs readily available to hobbyists and casual aquarium owners, please do not support the dyed fish industry or stores that sell dyed fish! It is unnecessary, needlessly cruel, and further perpetuates the common belief that fish are decorations and disposable and not intelligent and personable animals! 🐠