I'd like opinions or observations on the effect of different colors of substrate on fish. I've read several posts in which people suggest having a darker substrate to bring out the purplish sheen on Jaguar cichlids. The owner of the shop where I bought my tank suggested a lighter substrate (white crushed coral) to brighten the tank and bring out the fish's colors. What I have in the tank now is (75#) of the cheep unpolished gravel from Petsmart which varies from tan to red to dark brown and has an overall reddish brown look to it (sells for @ $5.00 for 25# bag) and (4) bags of black sea-chem plant substrate mixed in.
All of my fish seem to be too dark, especially the male Jag and my featherfin catfish (which when I bought it had an overall cream color to it with brown spots) now it's grayish brown with almost black spots).
I've noticed a lot of you are using a combination of white and black sand/gravel in your tanks. What is the optimum substrate color to bring out the best colors from the fish in the tank?
All of my fish seem to be too dark, especially the male Jag and my featherfin catfish (which when I bought it had an overall cream color to it with brown spots) now it's grayish brown with almost black spots).
I've noticed a lot of you are using a combination of white and black sand/gravel in your tanks. What is the optimum substrate color to bring out the best colors from the fish in the tank?
