Fish in the News. Each week the Bailey Brothers start the Pet Fish Talk Show with some fun and interesting stories about fish in the news.     Tilapia Species. Researchers in Scotland are encouraging farmers to grow Tilapia in unused barns as a way of boosting their income.   A 2-day old Zebra Danio. Scientists have discovered a gene that can cause insomnia in Zebra Danios.     In Scotland, Call to Breed Fish in Farm Barns Researchers are encouraging farmers to grow fish in unused barns as a way of boosting their income. A three-year study at the University of Stirling found rearing tilapia could be a cheap and profitable way for farmers to diversify. The project, developed by the university's aqua institute, uses a new type of water system for the small scale production of the tropical fish. Unlike salmon, which can take 18 months to reach market, tilapia only take six. The new water system is specifically designed for tilapia, which can thrive on a herbivorous or carnivorous diet. Click here to read more.   In Manila, Philippine Islands, Make way for Money-Making Catfish. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will start to vigorously promote the Pangasius, a freshwater species of catfish, dubbed as the "next big thing" in the local aquaculture industry. According to Dr. Remedios Ongtangco, Central Luzon director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, this high-value fish commodity is seen as "the emerging darling of freshwater aquaculture." Vitarich Corp. chair and president Rogelio Sarmiento said in a statement that the "entry of the Pangasius to our line of aqua products for export will strengthen our foothold in the global aquaculture market." "Pangasius is expected to open new business opportunities in both local and export markets, similar to that of the bangus and tilapia," Sarmiento added. BFAR said the Pangasius belongs to the family Pangasiidae with more than 20 different species. It is also called the shark catfish, because of its sharp dorsal fins, silver striped catfish, Siamese shark, sutchi catfish or swai catfish, is endemic on the Vietnam side of the Mekong River. Click here to read more.   At Stanford University in California, Scientists Discover a Gene that Causes Insomnia in Fish.   Fish might not have eyelids, but they do sleep, and some suffer from insomnia, scientists reported on Monday. California scientists studying sleep disorders in humans found that some Zebra fish, a common aquarium pet, have a mutant gene that disrupts their sleep patterns in a way similar to insomnia in humans. Zebra fish with the mutant gene slept 30 percent less than fish without the mutation. When they finally drifted off they remained asleep half as long as the normal fish, the researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine said. Click here to read more.   In Laboratories throughout the World, The Research Animal of Choice is the Zebra Danio. A tide has risen within the laboratory animal research industry, one which has seen consistent, if not exceptional, growth over the past decade. Aquatic animals have proven to be unique and powerful research models due to their biology, genetics, breeding and reproductive cycles, among other things. Research areas include developmental biology, toxicology, and human disease research to name just a few. The use of aquatic animal models is no longer an endeavor engaged only by a few enterprising individuals but is becoming an established research field endorsed by many leaders in government, academia, and industry. With the noteworthy success of several species used in biomedical research applications, the time is right to encourage those currently supporting the field and to make accessible the exploration for others. As a resource for laboratory research, the applications and opportunities are becoming more and more evident to a larger population of interested parties. Click here to read more.   At Indiana University, Genetically Engineered Corn Could Harm Aquatic Ecosystems A study by an Indiana University environmental science professor and several colleagues suggests a widely planted variety of genetically engineered corn has the potential to harm aquatic ecosystems. Researchers, including Todd V. Royer, an assistant professor in the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, established that pollen and other plant parts containing toxins from genetically engineered Bt corn are washing into streams near cornfields. They also conducted laboratory trials that found consumption of Bt corn byproducts produced increased mortality and reduced growth in caddisflies, aquatic insects that are related to the pests targeted by the toxin in Bt corn. Click here to read more.   A Big Sincere Thank-you for calling during the show to Chris in Australia, Andrew in Calgary, Canada, and Evan from Colorado. The Bailey Brothers encourage YOU to call Pet Fish Talk during the show and talk about your pet fish.     Download of this Entire Show Here's how: Right-Click here, then click on "Save Target (or Link) As ...".  Navigate to the folder you prefer, and click on the button labeled "Save". Later you can copy the MP3-file to your iPod or other MP3-player. You can also burn files to CDs, then play them in a CD-player.  Click here to download the PodCast for this show. Click here to buy an MP3-enabled CD-Player, or click here to buy an MP3-Player, or click here to buy an Apple iPod, which can all play Pet Fish Talk Shows.     There are lots of Pet Fish Talk Shows. Click here now to go to the Archive, where you'll find links to more than 360 Pet Fish Talk Shows.   Click here to go to our Search Page, where you can search for any topic that we have discussed in any show.