My New Tropical Tank - More Fishies!

Let's see... from largest to smallest: two head and tail light tetras (I think they're hidden in this), a colorful platy of some sort (he schools with the head and tail lights), one male (named Captain America because he's red, white and blue) and two female guppies, two rosey tetras, one mickey mouse platy, two rasboras and two von rio tetras. Also one

I've been very careful to keep a healthy tank and watch behavior for stressed fish because of overstocking or having too few of one group, but they seem to be doing very well. They're very active in the video because I have extra light on the tank for a better image. They all get along well, though the larger platy can be a little bossy, but not all the time and at least he doesn't nip fins. I keep the tank on my desk and keep a close eye on them. It's very relaxing to watch them.

You'll notice a few bunches of anachris (sometimes called elodea) on the left in the back. There's also one bunch in my goldies' tank now. It's my first attempt at live plants and they're thriving beautifully despite my lack of CO2 systems.

This tank has a 10 gallon Tetra Whisper filter, as well as a five gallon filter on the other side that I put in at the beginning because it already had a good amount of beneficial bacteria to help cycle the new tank. The air pump is from Marina, as is the thermometer. The background, too.

When I started the tank, I had wanted a couple of zebra danios. I studied them a bit and went to my LFS to get a few. When I told them what I wanted, they suggested Glofish. I had not heard about them before. They explained that they were zebra danios that had been genetically engineered with some genes from a jellyfish to make them glow. When they showed them to me, I saw they came in red, yellow and green. They weren't that pretty as the colors are almost crayon like - very unnatural looking. But I was excited at the prospect of them glowing under blacklight and bought a red one and a yellow one. After I finally introduced them to the main aquarium and got a blacklight bulb for a lamp I kept next to it, it was certainly neat to look at. But then I began reading more about them online.

Scientists have been using these for years to test for chemicals in waters. This I don't mind so much (though I'm a little conflicted) because the fish aren't harmed and, scientists generally being very disciplined and responsible people to whom the environment is very important, I know that the likelihood of them accidentally releasing them into the wild is small and the likelihood of them purposefully releasing them almost nil. But I began to read many articles on the ethics of these being sold to the public and realized that it was a very bad idea. I regretted my purchase of these lively fish. They had great personalities, but my conscience was bothering me.

I tried to alleviate my ill feelings by going back and purchasing a regular zebra danio (the last fish I would buy from this particular store) to add to the tank. It was a little larger, but they got along well. However, I was noticing two red bumps behind its gills. This didn't mesh with pictures and videos I saw on the Internet, so I looked it up. Apparently, these were tumors and, though the fish can live a very long time with these tumors, not only do they suffer from impaired gill function, but it's possible they could spread to other fish. Having gotten myself into a bad situation, I was left with the difficult choice of what to do with these fish. I finally (reluctantly) decided to return the Glofish to the store without asking for a refund. For the regular zebra danio, I hated to do this, but I didn't want it to continue suffering or spread it to other fish, so I read that the most humane thing to do is bury it. With a heavy heart, I did so. I will not make the same mistake again.

People, I ask that if you're considering purchasing a Glofish, look for something else. If you feel you must, avoid breeding them and certainly make sure they are never released into a public water system or river. Never do this with any of your fish or invertebrates. As responsible aquarium keepers, we need to protect our natural fauna, though we often keep fish from foreign areas. And always research a new fish before you buy it. Sometimes, you'll find you'll be happier with a change of plans.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• fish
• tropical
• aquarium
• tetras
• tetra
• guppies
• guppy
• rasboras
• platys
• head
• and
• tail
• light
• taillight
• mickey
• mouse
• von
• rio
• rosey
• apple
• mystery
• snail
• elodea
• anachris

[xxomgiluvzeroxx]

it is impossibel for glo fish 2 reproduce out side a labratory for the femakes are steriel.

[pandarsson]

I've heard that, but I can't find evidence of it. Instead, what's definitely true is that it's restricted to breed or sell them.

On the other hand, I don't think the general public having them is a good idea.

[00vampirate00]

BTW it was a teeny little bit less then a cm,

[00vampirate00]

STOP EVERYTHING!!!!!!! i went to petco a week ago, and they had a baby PINK GLOFISH, the fish expert there is taking care of it, its in its own little tank with the plants you can buy, ill try to get a vid of it for you later!!!!!

:)

[TabbyCat727]

I have breed the glow fish and they didn't turn out mutated. I have no idea if it is legel or not. thx check out my channel!

[xxomgiluvzeroxx]

tru

[AweSomo84]

Cool man great hobby next time try to hold the camera as still as you can :)

Peace and love