TLDR: Study of Oscar fish showed improved growth rates and lower stress markers in fish raised with a red background. Blue fared the worst.
Methods:
120 Oscar fish with an average weight of 9.14 ± 0.34 g that were approximately the same size in terms of weight and length were randomly distributed into 12 aquariums (60 × 50 × 35 cm) and divided into four treatments (aquariums with blue, white, yellow, and red background colors) and each treatment in three replicates (10 fish per aquarium). The aquariums walls were covered with blue, white, yellow, or red sheeting, and all these aquariums were placed in the same light intensity.
Results
Fish cultured in the red aquariums had significantly higher final weight and WG compared to those cultured under the other tank colors.
Plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate values of Oscar fish were significantly higher in the blue aquariums compared to other tank colors.
Conclusions
The Oscar fish cultured in the red aquariums had higher final weight and WG, lower FCR, and higher immune competence when compared to those cultured in aquariums of other colors. Also, GH and IGF-1 relative gene expression levels were meaningfully higher in fish cultured in yellow and red aquariums. The fish cultured in the blue aquariums had the highest stress levels as exhibited by high values of plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate compared to other tank colors. These findings reveal that the most suitable tank color for the efficient production of juvenile A. ocellatus is red, while blue tank color is unsuitable. It is suggested that this research be performed in different life stages of the Oscar fish. Also, the effects of other colors on the performance of this species can be evaluated.
I have truthfully never considered this topic before but stumbled upon this study when Googling what type of background to use on my future Oscar tank. Not crazy about the results, as I think red would look pretty weird, but it never occurred to me to consider that fish see things differently. It's discussed in the article, the results are not the same for all species based on other experiments - sturgeon seem to prefer black backgrounds, goldfish like white.
Methods:
120 Oscar fish with an average weight of 9.14 ± 0.34 g that were approximately the same size in terms of weight and length were randomly distributed into 12 aquariums (60 × 50 × 35 cm) and divided into four treatments (aquariums with blue, white, yellow, and red background colors) and each treatment in three replicates (10 fish per aquarium). The aquariums walls were covered with blue, white, yellow, or red sheeting, and all these aquariums were placed in the same light intensity.
Results
Fish cultured in the red aquariums had significantly higher final weight and WG compared to those cultured under the other tank colors.
Plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate values of Oscar fish were significantly higher in the blue aquariums compared to other tank colors.
Conclusions
The Oscar fish cultured in the red aquariums had higher final weight and WG, lower FCR, and higher immune competence when compared to those cultured in aquariums of other colors. Also, GH and IGF-1 relative gene expression levels were meaningfully higher in fish cultured in yellow and red aquariums. The fish cultured in the blue aquariums had the highest stress levels as exhibited by high values of plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate compared to other tank colors. These findings reveal that the most suitable tank color for the efficient production of juvenile A. ocellatus is red, while blue tank color is unsuitable. It is suggested that this research be performed in different life stages of the Oscar fish. Also, the effects of other colors on the performance of this species can be evaluated.
I have truthfully never considered this topic before but stumbled upon this study when Googling what type of background to use on my future Oscar tank. Not crazy about the results, as I think red would look pretty weird, but it never occurred to me to consider that fish see things differently. It's discussed in the article, the results are not the same for all species based on other experiments - sturgeon seem to prefer black backgrounds, goldfish like white.
