Glowing aquarium fish – GloFish

GloFish is a common term for all types of luminous aquarium fish.

The patented term GloFish refers to fluorescent fish that have undergone genetic modification. Two English words, glow (meaning "shining") and fish (meaning "fish"), combine to form the name. Although transgenic fish are sold in America under this brand, Taikong Corporation in Taiwan is regarded as the fish’s legitimate manufacturer.

Japanese medaka and zebrafish were the first fluorescent fish that were obtained by Taiwanese scientists.

A gene from a Pacific jellyfish species that produces fluorescent green protein was inserted into the DNA of these fish to give them a glow.

Taikong gave the new fish the name "Night Pearls."

At first, the experiments were done for scientific reasons: the fish were meant to act as markers of water pollution, changing color to indicate the presence of hazardous or toxic substances in the water. A representative of a company that specialized in aquarium fish sales was very interested in a picture of a transgenic fish that was shown at one of the scientific conferences. Consequently, scientists were given the order to acquire a different kind of glowing fish. This time, however, a gene from a sea coral was inserted into the zebrafish, causing it to glow red instead of green. Those who have received coral and jellyfish DNA genes glow yellow.

Scientific and business collaboration resulted in a contract being signed and a new brand called GloFish being created to sell different kinds of glowing fish.

Not content to stop there, scientists bred transgenic fish with blue and purple colors in 2011.

There are currently five different colors of fluorescent fish: orange ray, green electricity, purple of the galaxy, blue of the cosmos, and red starfish.

Different gene combinations from jellyfish and sea corals were inserted into each species’ DNA.

The same business placed an order for luminous tetras in 2012. Pterophyllum scalare, a transgenic angelfish, and Amatitlania nigrofasciata, a black-striped cichlid, came next. Scientists have found that producing glowing cichlids has proven to be more challenging than expected, as these fish have a more intricate spawning procedure and produce fewer eggs than medaka and danio.

Every GloFish fish is born with a fluorescent color that lasts the entirety of their life and gets brighter as they get older. When transgenic species reproduce, the glowing color is passed on to the fry.

Thus, distinctive fish that enable you to create an entirely new radiant aquarium design have been added to decorative aquatics, thanks to the combined efforts of scientists and entrepreneurs.

Features of keeping

Dazzling Because GloFish fish are becoming more and more popular, aquarium décor manufacturers are also keeping up with demand. The same artificial decorations and plants with the same color scheme as the transgenic fish are already available for purchase.

Standard lamps do not cause the fish to fluoresce. Their body’s concentrated proteins are only visible in blue and ultraviolet light. Special lamps are created so that the glowing fish can be seen in all of their sparkling beauty. The fluorescent glow of the genetically modified fish is most noticeable under these lamps’ illumination.

Making glow-in-the-dark aquariums with glowing GloFish swimming among shimmering decorations has long been a trend in China and Taiwan.

Transgenic fish are essentially identical to their natural counterparts, aside from their fluorescent glow. With a few exceptions, their size, lifespan, behavior, and nutrition are nearly identical.

For instance, because the males and females are the same color, there are no obvious sexual differences. In females, the only indication is a more rounded abdomen line.

They don’t require much in terms of the aquarium’s specifications, but it’s best to go with an oblong, lidded container that isn’t too deep. There should be plenty of greenery along with swimming-friendly spaces.

Water parameters: acidity 6-7.5, hardness approximately 10. Additionally, the water should be 28 to 29 degrees, which is a little warmer than it is for regular fish.

The fish are quite calm and get along well with cockerels and laliuses as well as other members of their genus. GloFish should not be kept with cichlids of any size, as they will attempt to consume the glowing prey whether or not they are hungry.

Genetically modified fish is also modest in terms of nutrition. They will work well with frozen and plant food as well as live food such as small daphnia, bloodworms, corethra, and dry flakes.

GloFish are a beautiful and unassuming species of fish that make aquarists of all skill levels very easy to keep.

Soon, genetically altered snails will be seen.

  • Post category: Aquarium fish / Other types of fish

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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