I just found out, after buying the painted tetra fish, that the colors aren't natural and are injected. I also found out to paint them like that they get rid of the fishes' most defensive body layer, so they are more prone to dying and disease. I put in some cure stuff that is supposed to make fish who are already sick heal, even though the tetra aren't sick. I took out my filter and it was really dirty, so now I don't know how much more dangerous it is in there for those already really weak fish. Um, two dannio-type things-fish are acting really weird and wouldn't eat, and the two tetra (who are actually perch) didn't go to the food I put into the aquarium either. Any help on the tetra or the weird-acting small-black striped fish would be nice, thanks alot.
Answers:
You are correct about the injections. 80% of dyed fish die during the procedure. The other 20% make it to the fish stores for sale. Dyes that are injected are done with a needle and will eventually fade. The other form of dye, that you're talking about, is the dipping. In this case, the slime coating is stripped away, then the fish is dipped, then an enzyme is coated on the fish to help it build back its slime layer.
Without fail, either of these methods will cause your fish to have weaker immune systems. However, if you put medications into your tank WITHOUT have a sick fish to treat, you may be doing more harm than good.
The filter media has the good bacteria (nitrate) living in there as well as on any surfaces in the tank. When you run the medication through, it kills off this bacteria and you have an uncycled tank again. Ammonia levels will spike, stressing the fish, causing illness, etc...exactly what you're trying to prevent! If the danios aren't eating...test the water. Don't use medication for the fish unless they're sick. Most dechlorinators have stress-zyme in them to help with slime coating when you do your water changes.
i would take them back to pet store who sold them, then tell them why your returning them. some store owners dont know what it takes to "paint" a fish, and unknowinly sell them. the fish will lose their color , and revert back to a sickly glass fish from the toxic dyes used to paint them. i would also get a test kit , i am willing to bet the nitrates are high, and you need to do 10% water changes for the next few days to bring that down, and to keep good water conditions. try not to over feed them, even skip a day fo feeding to see if they are indeed eating, when your not looking . i personally found a local pet store that was selling painted fish , after i told him aboiut them , he stopped selling them ,and even kept the ones that he didnt sell for his own fish, and is taking care of them..
If your fish made it this far after being injected, they already have their slime coat back intact. I would simply provide them with clean water and watch them for disease like you would any other new fish. A good water change and replacing the filter pads would be a good idea, just to be sure the water stays nice and clean. Once the dye fades and your fish recover their health you will find them to be very pretty and interesting fish. Why people would dye them is beyond me.
MM
I would not buy dyed or genetically colored fish. The processes weakens the fish's defense systems .If they are thriving,just be extra scrupulous about keeping the water quality high,feed carefully,and maintain the filters. Do not overcrowd. In a few weeks the dyes will fade and the genetically altered will look similar to the original type,if they even live long enough.These fish are colored before they are exported because there are so many of them and are so cheap,that the wholesalers need to make "diverse" fish for marketing schemes.
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