Does substrate coloring dictate fish coloration?

[fishmode]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering, if the color of my substrate have anything to do with the coloration in my fish. Or actually, the depth of the coloration in my fish.

My males are somewhat dark, but not any deep deep blue as in the top of the page fish. The females are very light and pale with slight coloration.

My gravel is actually shell sand intended for a salt water aquariums, decided this would look nice.

-David

[OrionsBelt]

I seem to remember once reading that darker substrata encourages brighter colours – i’m not sure if its because of a greater contrast between dark and light or that the dark substrata encourages a physically better colour phish.

Either way I’ve always since used dark sand or gravel for my tanks and my CPD’s seem nicely coloured although maybe not as well as the ones above.

Just remember that the pictures above have been taken with a professional camera, with perfect lighting etc etc!

[altaaffe]

A darker substrate helps to give the fish more confidence, as will plenty of cover & therefore they will display their colours more. Anything that will put them slightly ‘on edge’ will pale their colours a little.

Severely stressed fish will tend to show hardly any colour at all.

[Aquaseafoam]

Have you tested the pH and hardness of your tank water? the shell substrate could be raising both.

[Author]

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