The "Painting" Process
The fish are first removed from their water and placed in an acidic solution, stripping them of their protective slime coat. They are then "painted" using a large guage needle that injects them multiple times with semi-permanent flourescent dye.
The needles used for these injections are rarely changed so any dieases (such as Lymphocystis, Ichthyophthirius and finrot) are transmitted from one fish to another. In fact, research published in Practical Fishkeeping in 1996 showed that over 40% of dyed glassfish suffer from Lymphocystis, compared to less than 10% of un-dyed glassfish.
The needles are also so big that they are the equivalent to a person being injected with a pencil-size needle.
After the injections, the fish are placed in a basic solution to irritate their skin so that a new slime coat is produced, causing even more stress.
 Photo by Justin Macfarlane. |
Another method utilizes a laser that tears away the epidermis, bleaching away the natural pigment and replacing it with a color. The fish look like they have been drawn on with a crayon and don't come close to matching the beauty of their naturally colored counterparts.
Many fish die during the initial "painting" process, of those that survive, a great number will die later on due to stress or infection. The remaining fish will have lost their coloration within six to ten months. Only about 10 percent of the fish that survive for sale will keep their coloration for any length of time.
Some commonly painted species:
- Indian Glassy Fish (Parambassis ranga). Tradename: Painted glassfish, Disco Fish, Colored Glass Tetra, Fruit Loop Tetra.
- Black tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi). Tradenames: Berry Tetra, Painted Tetra.
- Gourami (Osphronemus gouramy). Tradenames: Polka-Dot Gourami.
- Oscar (Astronautus ocellatus). Tradenames: Blueberry Oscar, Strawberry Oscar.
- Cichlids. Tradenames: Ice Blue Albino Cichlid, Zebra Ice Albino Cichlid.
- Plecostomous (Hypostomus plecostomus). Tradenames: Patriotic Suckerfish, Mixed Color Suckerfish.
- Parrot cichlid (Amphiliphus citrinellus x Heros severus). Tradenames: Jellybean Cichlid, Cotton Candy Cichlid.
- Goldfish (Carassius auratus). Tradenames: Jellybeans, Icepops.
- Tiger Barb (Barbus tetrazona). Tradename: Oriental Tigerfish.
- Colored Botias.
- Painted Skirts.
But Fish Don't Feel Pain! Right?
Wrong! A recent study done by Edinburgh University and the Roslin Institute concluded that fish have nervous system receptors, or "polymodal nociceptors," in their heads that respond to damaging stimuli. Researchers said that fish "have feelings, including stress and pain".
So not only is "painting" an unethical business practice, tricking customers into buying colorful fish that quickly lose their color, but it is also cruel.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Unfortunately, animal cruelty laws almost never apply to fish. Even if there were effective laws here in the US, the majority of fish "painting" happens overseas before the fish are imported.
There are, however, actions you can take to discourage this cruel, unethical practice:
- Purchase only naturally colored fish such as Bettas, Painted Platy, Painted Swordtail, "Peacock" Cichlids, Guppies, Discus, many Rainbowfish, many Killis, and Goldfish and Koi.
- If you know of a pet store that sells "painted fish", ask that they stop stocking them.
- Some of the major stores stocking painted fish include Wal-Mart, Petco, and PetSmart. You can contact them at:
H. Lee Scott Jr., CEO & President
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. Eighth St.
Bentonville, AR 72716-8611
Tel.: 800-WAL-MART
Fax: 501-621-2063
(Or, simply pick up a preprinted suggestion form from the customer service department and send it postage paid.)
Brian K. Devine, Chair & CEO
Petco
9125 Rehco Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Tel.: 858-453-7845
Fax: 858-677-3095
Sam Parker, CEO & President
PetSmart
19601 N. 27th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Tel.: 800-738-1385, 623-580-6100
Fax: 623-580-6502
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