Ethics of "balloon" fish?

[xenacanth9]

I'm sure many of you have heard of or at least seen "balloon" mollies, rams, etc.
And, sure, these fish are cute, but are they ethical? I'm asking this because they just don't look right to me. They sort of have the same vibe to me like those big inbred pit bulls and stuff that can barely breath. Now, it's not solely their appearance I don't like, because, as I stated earlier, I do find them cute, and they could potentially add some variety to a few of my tanks, but, I couldn't possibly think about them in any positive light if I knew they were products of fish abuse. I have read a couple of boards on other sites that mention this, but didn't find much substantial, which is why I'm asking for more personal experience and opinions.

There are plenty of modified, "unnatural" animals that can easily live with little to no problem if properly cared for, (a la Glofish as well as several "morphs" of different reptiles and aquatic animals,) but also plenty that can not and are therefore dangerously disabled for life. I just want to be educated for future purposes as I have made my fair share of blind mistakes that ended sadly (like brackish fish in fresh, etc)

 

[robmcd]

Wrong. Bad. No bueno.

 

[Deadeye]

Balloon fish are almost always unhealthy and unappealing to me.
The only balloon fish I like is blood parrot cichlids (they are basically unaffected by the short body for some reason) and goldfish (wrong but goldfish are great).
Things like glofish still live normally, just glow in the dark.
Longfin and balloon directly impact fish health by causing impaired swimming and impacted organs.

 

[xenacanth9]

Well, I guess what I suspected all along is likely true. Thank you for the guidance

 

[Deadeye]

Technically they weren’t abused, they just took the fish from batches that were deformed and would normally be culled, but instead thought it would sell well if they bred the mutants. It did, and a new type of fish was born.

 

[xenacanth9]

Technically true but same ballpark really

 

[Deadeye]

Technically true but same ballpark really

Definitely

 

[fishguy1978]

They give the appearance of having dropsy. Please don't buy GMO.

 

[xenacanth9]

Not planning on it

 

[tlindsey]

Just as bad as Blood Parrot Cichlid, Unnatural longfin species, and Glofish.
People who created them were focused on money. They know children and those who like cute fish would buy them. I'm not a purist but have my limits lol.