This means you can build your aquarium using both fluorescent and non-fluorescent versions of the same species! Remember, GloFish were created from existing species. These are semi-aggressive omnivorous fish that grow up to 6 inches in length. * Sharks–The newest variety of GloFish, sharks are similar to the Rainbow Shark. The species used to create GloFish tetras are most similar to Black Skirt Tetras which come in short-finned and long-finned variety. * Tetra–Another group of active schooling species, tetras are slightly larger than danios and they enjoy planted tanks. In addition to their fluorescent coloration GloFish barbs also have dark vertical striping. They generally range from 2 to 6 inches in size, though the species used to produce GloFish are on the smaller end of the spectrum. * Barb–Barbs are a group of species, all of which are schooling species that prefer to be kept in groups of five or more. They grow up to 2 inches long and follow an omnivorous diet. * Danio–Danios are very small schooling fish that come in two primary patterns – zebra and leopard. Here are the top species available in the form of GloFish: They are some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, particularly for beginners. If you’ve been involved in the aquarium industry for any length of time, you’re already very familiar with them. Though you won’t find GloFish in the wild, the species they were developed from are entirely natural. Though originally regarded with skepticism, GloFish have captured the hearts of many and have also captured roughly 10% of annual aquarium fish industry sales. GloFish appear normal under white light but become fluorescent under blue light and black light. These include tetras, barbs, and zebra fish (danios). This species was released in 2003 and, since then, the company has gone on to produce 12 different lines of GloFish including six unique colors and a number of species.
#Glow in the dark fish license
Though Singaporean scientists took the first step, the first company to take glowing fish to the public market was based in Texas.Īlan Blake, co-founder and CEO of Yorktown Technologies purchased the license for those permanently fluorescent fish and used it to breed the world’s first fluorescent aquarium fish–the Starfire Red Danio. The first challenge was to insert the genes for fluorescence and then to make that fluorescence a permanent characteristic. The original goal was to develop a species that could identify toxins in the water, making it easier to identify polluted waterways. Scientists in Singapore were among the first to genetically modify fish with fluorescent color.
For example, vampire squids native to the deep sea regions excrete a glowing mucus designed to startle predators and hatchet fish are able to adjust the reflections off their bodies with the help of light-producing organs.īioluminescence has been the subject of scientific study for decades and fluorescent genes have been adapted as biomarkers for a wide variety of applications. Bioluminescence is what makes fireflies light up the night sky and it can be seen in a wide variety of underwater creatures. Though GloFish look unnatural compared to most aquarium fish, the characteristic that makes them glow is actually very natural – it’s called bioluminescence. Of course, each color has its own branded name: GloFish can be found in all colors of the rainbow including red, orange, green, blue, pink, and purple. These are simply aquarium fish (freshwater species) that have inherited a brilliant fluorescent coloration. If you’ve never seen GloFish before, the name alone is enough to conjure up an accurate image.
#Glow in the dark fish how to
Read on to learn more about these amazing fish and how to care for them. If you’ve been looking for the perfect way to add some intrigue to your tank, GloFish might just be the solution. They actually inherit their color genetically from their parents, though there is certainly some human intervention involved. Contrary to common misconceptions, they are not injected with dye or artificially colored. They’re nothing more than common species genetically modified for their fluorescent color. They’re called GloFish and there’s a reason they look familiar. You’ve seen them at the pet store – those fluorescent-colored fish that look strikingly familiar.
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