Should Glow-in-the-Dark Aquarium Fish Be Sold in Canada?
Official title: Share your thoughts: Participate in the risk assessment process for GloFish® Corydoras
A company wants to sell genetically modified glow-in-the-dark catfish in Canadian pet stores. These GloFish Corydoras have been engineered with jellyfish and coral genes to glow green, pink, or orange under aquarium lights. The government asked for scientific input on whether they pose risks to Canadian ecosystems or human health.
Why This Matters
Have a home aquarium? These glowing fish could soon be on pet store shelves. The government wants to make sure they won't harm Canadian lakes and rivers if released. They've been sold in the US since 2005 without reported problems, but Canada's cold winters are different.
What Could Change
If approved, three varieties of glowing catfish could be sold in Canadian pet stores. The company says they can't survive Canadian winters, so escape risks are low. New rules might require specific labeling or handling requirements for genetically modified aquarium fish.
Key Issues
- Could these fish survive and reproduce if released into Canadian waters?
- Are the fluorescent proteins safe for human health and the environment?
- What are the potential ecological effects if these fish enter natural ecosystems?
How to Participate
- This consultation is now closed. It ran from March 8 to April 6, 2025. Comments could be submitted by email to substances@ec.gc.ca or by mail to the Science and Technology Branch in Gatineau.