Dyed Cichlid

With all of the beautifully colored fish in the world, it is amazing that people feel the need to “improve upon” natural beauty. And yet, fish stores around the world stock fish that have been dipped, tattooed, or injected with dyes. These fish suffer a very high immediate mortality rate, and those that survive often have a greatly increased chance of future illness.

The results of the coloring process varies depending on the type of fish and the method used.

Tattoos
Some fish are tattooed with very intricate patterns that would look gorgeous on a human. Unlike human recipients of tattoos, these fish have not given their permission to painfully modify their body. Further, it is harder for a fish to protect against follow-up infection than it is for a human to protect against the same.

Injection
Painted Parrot Cichlid Other fish are injected with dye. In some cases, this creates an all-over color change. In others, it creates little pockets of dye. One of the most considerable changes comes from the injection of fluorescent dye into the Glassfish. This creates little fluorescent pockets in the fish. While neat-looking, the process involves a needle bore that would be the equivalent of using a #2 pencil as a needle for a human.

Dipping
Another process involves dipping fish in a chemical that burns away the slime-coat followed by a dip in high-concentration dye. Though not as invasive as tattooing or injection, it removes the fishes’ first line of protection and then coats the gills and probably stomach of the fish affected This affects respiration and likely other body functions, as well.

There are some claims that fish are colored by feeding them heavily colored food, but there is little to substantiate this claim. Even if it were true, it is unlikely that such a high concentration of dye would be good for a fish.

It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to realize that any of these processes would be painful. Science has shown, repeatedly, that fish are capable of feeling pain, and that they have a long-term memory. It is unconscionable to put a creature through this kind of torture merely for the sake of aesthetics, especially when every fish has a beauty of its own.

What Can You Do?
First of all, don’t buy any painted fish. For the most part, it’s fairly easy to tell if a fish has been dyed. Most such fish just don’t look natural. It’s never a good idea to buy a fish on a whim. If you see an unrecognized fish at the pet store, go home with its name (and a picture if you can get one) and identify it and its requirements before you buy it. This is a good way to weed out dyed fish. In addition, ask your local fish store to not carry any dyed fish. In some cases, these fish are automatically sent to them, and in others, they have been misinformed as to the fish’s origins, so be kind when talking to the employees.