Fish ID??

[Pamelajo]

A friend has this fish and wants to know what it is, but I am not sure. Can you help? She has a pink one and a blue one.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a357/Pamela-jo/Chrissfish.jpg

[PPulcher]

Hmm... it looks like a white skirt tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

[KnaveTO]

If she has a pink one and a blue one they are dyed fish.:(

[ChrissyFishy]

:no: Yes they are dyed. She probably didn't know and thats ok because now she will learn. Maybe she can complain at the store if they didn't tell her.:no:

[Pamelajo]

No she would not have known. I set up the tank for her and supplied her with fish, because she is totally new to fish.


These one her daughter bought for her.

[Melody]

I almost bought them once too, before I knew any better. I think taking them back and complaining would be a good idea. I strongly feel that if people aren't told they're dyed, they are being intentionally ripped off. Even if you have no problem with dying, the fact remains that the dye comes out, so your fish will not be permanently coloured. If you were sold a pink couch that turned white with ugly black splotches in 6 months, the store would be in big trouble for not telling you.

[Mrs.JP]

I have seen them called Fruit Tetras. They were pink,blue, and yellow.
I have 3 poor pink ones they came with the used tank I bought, I havn't been able to find them just white yet. They also come in a long fin too.

[Melody]

That's what they've been called here too. The more specific we can be, the better, so others reading know what to watch for when trying to avoid dyed fish. Thanks for the description! Good to see you Jackie, I hope you & the fishies are doing well.:smile:

[Pamelajo]

Talked to her today and she was appalled that they were dyed. She did not even know you could dye fish. She has had them since Feb. so I think it would be too late to complain, but she said she does not want any more of them. The reason she showed me the pic was so I could pick her up some more. Now I get to choose something for her.

[Melody]

If she doesn't mind waiting, I would be happy to send something down on one of our trades, on the house, supposing she would be interested in something I have.

Education is the key, and really, how would someone know? If you've never heard of them they're quite a novelty when you first see them. You don't see those shades in freshwater fish very often. When they're first dyed, they are quite eye-catching. I had one store owner tell me that they keep getting them in because the kids like them. I'm reasonably certain that by the time I left, he knew that wasn't a good enough excuse. :mad: There are many, many bright coloured fish that kids would be just as pleased with.

Hobbyists are getting educated in record time, thanks to the Internet. Once they know about dyed fish, having them just reflects badly on the store. Hopefully more stores will realize that cruelty aside, it does not make good business sense to carry these fish. Their bread & butter, the hobbyist, does not approve. Kudos to the stores who know that!

[PPulcher]

Talked to her today and she was appalled that they were dyed. She did not even know you could dye fish. She has had them since Feb. so I think it would be too late to complain, but she said she does not want any more of them. The reason she showed me the pic was so I could pick her up some more. Now I get to choose something for her.

If she likes the shape and behaviour of the fish, you can always get the undyed ones (black skirt tetras).

[Melody]

Good point - they're plenty attractive enough on their own.

[Mrs.JP]

Thanks Melody I will post updates on my fish and tanks soon when I have more time to spend on the computer.

Am I right or wrong thinking that the dyed Tetras are a white skirt Tetra? Because I plan on buying some when I find them I hope they are not dyed white.

[PPulcher]

I understand that the white ones are just a colour variant of the black skirts, and are not dyed.

[Melody]

Yup, white and black are natural forms. :yes: Can't wait to see the pic's Jackie!