Jellybean Parrots...

[1800higgins]

I was just skimming through this site and found something on dyed fish. I had no idea that Jellybean Parrots are often dyed.

I was given a 10g tank by someone who didn't want it. He told me it had a "jellybean fish," but when I looked at it I figured he was dumb because it looks like a pink convict. It also has the qualities of a Convict (very aggressive, moves rocks around, likes hiding places, etc.).

I have done a little research and learned that "jellybean fish" are Blood Parrots mixed with Pink Convicts. I found pictures of such "jellybean fish" (or "Jellybean Parrots") and noticed they look identical to this fish (along with looking almost identical to Pink Convicts too).

Now I'm curious... How can you tell if your fish has been dyed? I can only assume this one hasn't, as the color is very faint off white / pink. It looks very natural.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

im not really sure how to tell if their dyed cause every single dyed fish i ever seen was easy to spot they are normaly the ich infested ones

 

[vancouver]

Look under the dorsal fin (top fin) and see if there are any black marks, or weird coloring. That's usually where they inject the dye, so sometimes even if the dye has faded, you will still see marks there where they were injected.

 

[valleyrich]

Ok an undyed Jellybean will be a nice pink color. They will turn this color after the ink fades. If they are any color but pink they are definatly dyed. The undyed will also be slightly larger and happier.

BTW they do look like fat pink convicts.

 

[1800higgins]

Okay good. Yea mine doesn't look fat, but it's definitely bigger... It's very strong looking. Thicker and a nice faint pink color. Beautiful fins.

I didn't think she was dyed, but it's nice to know for sure.

 

[valleyrich]

She sounds nice and healthy. Good job! Congrats on finding a good one. They are hard to find!

 

[Torrean]

Ok I am not sure about this but I believe most jellybeans are dipped not injected. This dye will usually fade 4-6 months later. IME you can't look at a fish that the dye has faded off of and tell that it was ever dyed. So your fish may have been dyed. Ask your friend if the fish changed color after he bought it.

 

[vancouver]

I can tell which ones of mine were/weren't dyed after the dye has faded... I mean I don't know for sure, but I assumed the weird spots that showed up were from the injection sites.

 

[kubora666]

yeah he pretty much covered it, if there are some discoloured areas or a small black dot like a needle wound then he is died, if he is a slightly pinkish white colour with an orange/pink underbelly ( female ) then its perfectly normal, see my display picture ? that is a breeding colour pink convict. slightly fatter and a diferent face and it would be a female JP. hope that helps.

 

[Torrean]

 

[Nevergone815]

i recently bought a jellybean parrot fish for my 55 gal US and it had a purple top. i just thought this was a variation in color. i didn't know anything about them being dyed . it didn't look like the painted glass tetras and looked natural so i assumed it was. why didn't i come across this thread before? it is just a juvie too how sad? . it's only like 1" big, but it is very "round" to be nice. it picked up rocks in the lfs also and hid. it is funny to see 2 of them fight. 2 were doing it in the lfs and it was like they were afraid to touch each other.

it is a great fish though to have (IME so far)!!!

 

[valleyrich]

i recently bought a jellybean parrot fish for my 55 gal US and it had a purple top. i just thought this was a variation in color. i didn't know anything about them being dyed . it didn't look like the painted glass tetras and looked natural so i assumed it was. why didn't i come across this thread before? it is just a juvie too how sad? . it's only like 1" big, but it is very "round" to be nice. it picked up rocks in the lfs also and hid. it is funny to see 2 of them fight. 2 were doing it in the lfs and it was like they were afraid to touch each other.

it is a great fish though to have (IME so far)!!!

You are so right. It's a fabulous fish to keep. They will keep you entertained for years. As for your poor baby being dyed; they depend on you not knowing to keep selling them. He should be just fine. He made it through the worst of it. He'll never get quite as big and won't live quite as long but he shouldn't really show too many negative effects from being dyed. And yes they are a rather fat fish, I love it!

 

[Synirr]

I don't think larger fish actually have some of the negative effects of dying like you're talking about with shortened lifespan, stunted growth, etc. These are things you mostly have to worry about with more fragile fish. I have a midas x BP hybrid who was dip dyed, and she's now about 6-7" (would be more if she had a caudal peduncle, but she is tailless, lol) and is fit as a fiddle. She has laid eggs and tries to spawn with my oscar, eats well, digs up all my decorations, and basically is the most healthy fish you ever saw. All her dye has long since faded, and I see no reason she won't live a normal life from here on out