Does background and gravel color effect the fishes color?

[Tornfins]

How much does background and gravel color effect the coloration of the fish (occupants)? Has anyone done a side by side comparison?

 

[JK47]

what kind of fish?? That makes a really big difference species to species.

 

[Tornfins]

sa/ca cichlids. ex. grammodes, tetracanthus, rostratums, and haitis. just to name a few.

 

[Lupin]

In my experience, cichlids in general are more colorful in dark environment. Glaring lights and white substrate and background make them look washed out.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Do penguins wear mittens? You bet'cha!!!!

Yes a darker substrate and a darker background can really make the colors of you fish pop, but if you go too crazy it can make the fish REALLY dark, so you have to find a medium. Generally a tan to slightly gray substrate with a black background really makes the fishs colors come out the best.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Not sure about background. But yes to substrate

 

[Lupin]

You know there are some fish though that should not be kept in dark environment. Pigeon blood discus for instance unless you like the peppering that makes them uglier.=/

 

[cichlid2006]

There are a couple of threads that show the difference in the CA/SA cichlid section, you can use the search function to find them. People have went to a dark substrate and the fishes colours seem to pop.
A black background definitely helps to make colours stand out, unsure if it is the fish reacting to the background or if it is just because colours stand out against a dark background. I just know it works.

I can't tell you a personal example of substrate doing anything because I have always had darker substrates.

 

[vfc]

Here are a few pics of the same fish with white and black substrate:

#1 Fossie
#2 Titanium Flowerhorn

These two fish are now the sole occupants of a 125G tank with black substrate.

 

[Rawrzer]

light colors come out better if its a dark background