Background Effecting Flowerhorn's Coloration???

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Jon M

Jon M

Polypterus
MFK Member
Dec 18, 2010
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Port Saint John, FL
Okay, my girl friend is getting a Flowerhorn this coming week as a small fry and she read in a few articles online that the color of the substrate and back ground can effect the coloration that develops in the Flowerhorn as it grows. Is this true?

I can't fathom how the substrate/backing could effect such a thing. Wouldn't the deciding factor for such a thing involve the genes? I dunno. She said she read it in more than one place so that's why I'm asking.
 
It doesn't actually change the colors that are programmed by the genes but instead makes them look brighter and more vibrant. Lighter substrates and backgrounds tend to make the fish have a washed out appearance. I'm thinking that either the fish are just trying to blend in with the environment or it is just strictly a contrast that you see. Anyhow, a black substrate in my experience does indeed enhance the vividness of the colors.
 
Yeah, effect the color and tones you see but not the actual true colors of the fish correct? As far as I was understanding she read that it actually changes the actual color of the fish which I find to be quite impossible unless it's some sort of chameleon fish. I know back grounds and substrate make certain fish "look" brighter, or stand out/pop more.
 
I already posted a link to my previous response to this. I guess you missed that?

What happens is that a darker or lighter background/substrate can sometimes trigger a morphological change within the chromatophore cells of the fish. You can read more about this in the following link.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/aqscisubwebindex/coloration.htm
 
RD. said:
I already posted a link to my previous response to this. I guess you missed that?

What happens is that a darker or lighter background/substrate can sometimes trigger a morphological change within the chromatophore cells of the fish. You can read more about this in the following link.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/aqscisubwebindex/coloration.htm
Click to expand...

Ahhhh. Interesting. No, I thought your hyper link was just a link to you repeating this:

RD. said:
Most of it boils down to personal preference, but the color of background, substrate, and even lighting can effect the color and tones of your fish.
Click to expand...

So just to be clear, I just read the your previous response and the hyper linked article. After reading the article I'm seeing that this is relevant to ALL aquaria fish and not just the FH correct?
 
So just to be clear, I just read the your previous response and the hyper linked article. After reading the article I'm seeing that this is relevant to ALL aquaria fish and not just the FH correct?
Click to expand...

Yes, correct.

Flowerhorns are no different than the CA cichlids that make up the majority of their genetics. Treat them exactly the same as some of the more aggressive omnivorous CA cichlids & you're good to go. That includes diet, tank mates, backgrounds, substrate, etc.
 
Okay perfect. See we're moving soon and each getting a 300 gallon tank. She is getting a juvie FH now and moving it to the 300g when we move and was planning on doing black back and substrate and then read somewhere (I believe on this site somewhere) that black back/substrate was a no. I knew that sounded crazy. Thanks for the information.

I wasn't aware of the back/substrate effecting fish in any way either so that's good new information to know. :)
 
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