Originating from several different fish species, Glofish offer dazzling and radiant color with bioluminescence characteristics. Get to know Glofish further below!
Don’t get mistaken glofish with goldfish, even though they sound similar. The two are excellent pets for your tank. While goldfish have a common variation of orange, red, brown, yellow, white, and black, glofish has more fluorescent coloration. Their vivid and shocking color makes them perfect ornamental fish. Let’s get to know Glofish.
What Are Glofish?
Glofish can be said to be a newcomer among fish lovers. However, glofish has become more and more popular over time. What makes this ornamental freshwater fish tank attractive is definitely its dazzling and stunning colors. They even get their name from their very glaring colors.
Instead of merely saying their colors purple, red, green, pink, blue, or orange, fish lovers refer to them as Starfire Red, Electric Green, Moonrise Pink, Cosmic Blue, Galactic Purple, and Sunburst Orange. Glofish originated from several different fish species, namely:
• Tiger barbs (Puntius tetrazona)
• Rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum)
• Zebra fish (Danio rerio)
• Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
Glofish can genuinely glow, especially when their surround gets darker. This characteristic is called bioluminescence, the same characteristic that makes fireflies gleam in the dark night as well as underwater creatures like alarm jellyfish and bioluminescent plankton in the Maldives.
Where Do Glofish Come From?
Glofish is one of the first genetically modified fish which come from Singapore. These little tank buddies were at first created to determine water pollutants. Scientists in Singapore developed glofish to have fluorescent proteins and refine biomedical and environmental monitoring. But, the offspring are now more popular as ornamental fish pets.
The vivid and blazing colors come from the genes which generate glowing proteins, making glofish glow. The unique characteristic soaks up light in a certain wavelength. Later on, the wavelength discharges light and makes this creature glow.
In fact, their brilliant color can be boosted with actinic and blue LED. In some places, glofish are considered illegal due to their genetically modified state. So, when you plan on buying them, get to know glofish are legal in your country.
Glofish Communities
If taken care of appropriately and properly, glofish can live from three to eight years. Placing this stunning little creature with perfect tank mates is also important for their livelihood. You can safely house them together with other fish but not the aggressive ones.
Glofish is hardy and perfect for beginners. However, make sure not to house them with too many fish in one tank and not to keep glofish, even a single glofish, in a small bowl.
What to Feed a Glofish
Similar to other little aquarium fish, you can feed your glofish with freeze-dried food, flakes, or pellets. If you wish to enhance their coloration, make sure their diet contains beta-carotene and carotenoids. Do not overfeed this tiny ornamental species.
Simply a small feed once or twice a day. When you give glofish frozen feed, thaw the food first before offering them to your fish.
Now that you get to know Glofish better, do not hesitate to add them to your collection. From fish lovers to tank beginners, glofish are perfect mates for your aquarium. Their vivid and glaring coloration will certainly add a little entertainment to your house.