How To Enhance The Colors Of Your Fish

Bright, colorful fish are like living jewels. One can be spellbound for hours just sitting by an aquarium or pond, and watching these creatures dart or glide about gracefully. Every movement captivates and mesmerizes, as reflections of light spark off the vibrant or silvery colors of the fish.

Color Pigments

A fish’s colors are controlled by pigment producing cells called chromatophores, found on or in their skin and scales. These color cells include melanius which produces black, brown and grey pigments, carotenes, which produce red, orange and yellow pigments, and guanine, which produces white and iridescent pigments.

The genetic make-up of a fish determines the depth and color of the pigments. A fish’s ability to display and change colors can serve different functions—communication, identification, camouflage, defense or mimicry.

Some fish are remarkable for their ability to change their hues to match their surroundings. Optical images of the colors in their environment are captured by receptor nerve cells in the eyes which transmit messages (nerve impulses) to the brain. This in turn influences the colors from within their skin to change.

A number of hormones are required to stimulate the cells involved in controlling color changes. Thus, a fish’s color may be affected when the essential nutrients required to make these hormones become deficient due to intestinal disorders or a poor diet.

Fish Color Enhancers

Good color qualities in fish can be achieved by feeding them a high quality diet and maintaining optimum water quality.

Improper water parameters can cause fish to become stressed and unhappy. When that happens, fish respond by “intentionally switching off” their color display processes in order to hide and recuperate.

A proper diet is an important part of breeding healthy fish with vibrant colors. Food supplements containing a well-balanced combination of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and mineral boost the fishes’ immune systems, and added color enhancers color pigments derived from natural products or manufactured synthetically) enhance their skin color.

Avoid using color-enhancing food supplements that contain hormones as these can alter fishes’ behavior or harm them. It’s always best to use formulations that enhance their beautiful color safely and naturally.

Examples of natural color-enhancing ingredients are spirulina and brine shrimp. Algae spirulina helps boost the fish’s immune system, and makes it more vibrant. Brine shrimp contain a high level of protein and are ideal for carnivorous fish like cichlids and discus. They also contain high levels of natural carotenoid pigments which enhance red, orange and yellow hues in fish.

Mermaid Highly Recommends: