Tattooed or Dyed Tropical Fish

**dgridley** · 10-08-2008, 02:19 PM

I have to admit, until today I'd never heard about tattooed or dyed tropical fish! My apartment manager showed me one she'd purchased!

Here's an excerpt from an article I found:

A tropical fish supplier in Hong Kong is offering a unique new service in which it will tattoo fish with the words, patterns or logos of your choice using a laser.

HK Aquaria Mall sells a range of parrot cichlids that are dye tattooed with Chinese New Year wishes or sayings such as "I love you", and now offers the opportunity to have fish custom tattooed with the words of your choice.

more: Company offers custom fish tattoos with laser | Practical Fishkeeping magazine

Apparently fish in Oklahoma City were confiscated as being in violation of a city ordinance prohibiting dyed animals. Though the ordinance was meant to protect against sales of dyed chicks and bunnies during Easter, OK City police felt compelled to enforce the ordinance with respect to the dyed fish. Over $1400 worth of the tattooed fish were euthanized after being confiscated. (I guess it's not ok to tattoo them, but it is ok to put the tattooed fish out of their misery? Talk about closing the gate after the horse is out!)

So what do you think about this?

Personally, while I think it's a novel idea, I can't see how it doesn't stress the fish or potentially lead to an increased risk of infection.

video:

YouTube - Abba Pet's Store in St. Joseph, MO Features Tatooed Fish

Blue Baboon · 10-12-2008, 09:32 PM

That sure is odd, but I can see people wanting them to be different. I have to wonder if that is good for the fish or not.

I could see this being used to place a company logo on or to advertise on a fish.

bbsaquaticservice · 11-21-2008, 01:46 AM

Ohhh dont get me started on that subject. I am so against that its not good subject to get me on.

**dgridley** · 11-21-2008, 03:33 AM

I personally think it's novel, but fish tend to be beautiful enough just the way they are..

CarolsCritterCare · 11-21-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsaquaticservice

Ohhh dont get me started on that subject. I am so against that its not good subject to get me on.

That's why I have not commented. I've been sitting on my hands

Randymetro · 11-21-2008, 07:13 AM

Not a good idea IMHO. Humans do it but its their decision to.

**Kris10** · 11-21-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsaquaticservice

Ohhh dont get me started on that subject. I am so against that its not good subject to get me on.

I concur. It's wrong, wrong, wrong! Fish can't say no to body modification.

Blue Baboon · 11-21-2008, 09:10 AM

What's next, fish body piercing?

Randymetro · 11-21-2008, 12:47 PM

Sometimes what people will do just amazes me.

bbsaquaticservice · 11-22-2008, 01:21 AM

I agree but blue baboon dont give them any more wild ideas now. That is one thing I will not sell in my business is dyed or tattood fish or corals

Kelly68 · 11-22-2008, 05:12 PM

Exactly. Imagine the pain the fish must feel to be subjected to that. It is proven that it stresses the fish out tremendously. Just to make a buck. I agree with Dave...fish are beautiful enough without doing this to them. Makes me sick what people will do just for money.

Blue Baboon · 11-22-2008, 05:47 PM

I really didn't find the tattoos to be that pretty. Kind of looks like some kid took a magic marker to the fish. Since fish come in so many colors, why would you need to tattoo them?

**keith** · 11-23-2008, 10:01 AM

There is, I believe, some translucent fish that are injected with dye to be your 'color of choice'. Some of those colors are iridescent. I was told at a fish store that it doesn't hurt the fish.

Brad, you have other thoughts?

~~~~~~~~~~`

Remember to visit The Great Fish Rescue Auction of 2008 - theBubbler

Regards,
Keith

bbsaquaticservice · 11-23-2008, 09:06 PM

Still you are modifyn a fish to make it more attractive for PROFIT. And usually with in 6 to 8 months the color fades anyways.

bbsaquaticservice · 11-23-2008, 09:07 PM

Like the LFS is going to tell you Yes sir that hurts the fish but its not my problem.

CarolsCritterCare · 11-24-2008, 06:22 AM

Maybe one day this will get banned.....
dont dye your fish
dont inject your fish
leave the fish the way god intended them to be.
Dont buy altered fish

jumpingjax · 08-10-2009, 02:33 PM

I didnt know until someone told me that the fish I had a long time ago were dyed. I was disappointed. But I NEVER heard of tattooed fish. That just sounds crazy and painful.