Fluorescent Transgenic Fish Escape Captivity Into Atlantic Forest Creeks Of Brazil

A common ornamental fish from Asia bioengineered to glow in the dark has escaped captivity and now swims freely in southeastern Brazil’s Atlantic forest creeks where it may threaten local biodiversity

Transgenic zebrafish, or zebra danio, Danio rerio, have been bioengineered into a patented and trademarked brand of genetically modified (GM) fluorescent fish and marketed as “GloFish”. (Credit: Paulo de Oliveira / Biosphoto / via André Magalhães)

If you are a fishkeeper or aquaculturist, then you may have seen glowing freshwater fishes on offer in your local pet shop. Originally created by scientists in Singapore, then later trademarked and marketed in the United States under the name “GloFish” by Yorktown Technologies, they come in a variety of stunning colors with equally flashy names, like Electric Green, Starfire Red, Sunburst Orange, Cosmic Blue and Galactic Purple.