The aquarium is all about different color of fishes. The coloration of fish could be due to many reasons, including genetics, sunlight, attracting mates, illness, or serving as a warning.
The sadness in the color of fish can be an indicator that fish are sick or stressed due to different external or internal factors. These factors cause serious health problems for the fish.
Here is the guide on the reasons for coloration in the fish.
What is Fish Coloration?
The coloration in fish is produced by the cells called chromatophores. This is the basic dermal color unit that exists in every reptile and fish. This cell has three layers, the xanthophore, iridophore, and melanophore.
The pigments in chromatophores are classified into two groups. Melanin makes brown, gray, and black colors in the skin of fish, and carotenoids make red, orange, and yellow colors.
Factors of Fish Coloration
Here are the factors that cause the coloring of fish.
Role of Genetics in the Fish
The color of the fish is mostly determined by genetics. Genetics determine the intensity and pattern of the fish’s coloration. Three main pigments provide color to fish.
Carotenoids
This pigment is the one that gives the fish yellow, orange, and red color. The fish cannot produce the carotenoids on its own. The main source of obtaining carotenoids is food. As a result, the pigment impacts fish in producing colors.
All colors we see in fish are often a mixture of yellow, orange, and red, provided by carotenoids. For example, orange is a mixture of yellow and red. In fish, if there are no carotenoids in the fish the color of the fish will be white.
Melanins
The skin cells produce melanin. The aggregation or concentration of melanin pigment granules in fish melanophores is responsible for the color black and brown. Changes in the fish genetics melanins can cause different coloration over the fish.
Iridophores
These cells are responsible for reflecting light on the skin of the fish. Iridophores produce a metallic, gray color. The genetic control of iridophores in the fish gives us the shimmery look that we see.
Environmental Factors in Fish Colorations
Genetics plays an essential role in the making of color in fish, but there are some environmental factors that are crucial to the coloration of fish.
Light
Light plays a vital role in the displaying of structural colors in fish. The availability and quality of light in fish habitats help in coloration. The ample illumination improves the visibility of the color and supports the health of the fish.
Water Quality
To maintain the coloring of the fish the water quality is important. Clean water, perfect temperature, and pH of the water are mandatory in color maintaining. If the water is not clean, this can stress the fish, resulting in duller colors.
Stress and Health
Stress due to different reasons like overpopulation, dirty water, aggressive mates can cause stress for fish. It can cause dullness in the color. By managing these issues the color of the fish can be restored.
Role of Diet in the Coloring of Fish
Diet
The consumption of more food rich in carotenoids produces the colors yellow, red, and orange. If the food of the fish is high in carotenoid it will display excellent coloring and health of the fish.
Beta Carotene
For the natural enhancement of fish color beta carotene is important. This matter is found in plants placed in the aquarium. Beta carotene enhances the beauty of the aquarium but plays an essential part in the well being of the fish. This pigment is the main source of vitamin A which helps in the color richment of the fish.
Practical Tips for Enhancing Fish Coloration
- Provide your fish with nutrient-rich foods that help maintain the vibrance of color.
- Food rich in carotenoids is good for the coloration of red, yellow, and orange.
- Provide good quality water with perfect temperature and pH; poor quality water causes stress and dull color.
- Overpopulation and aggressive mates can also cause stress to the fish. Due to the stress, the color of the fish will dull.
- Proper access to light is very important for fish as good quality of light increases the visibility of the color.
- Maintaining the overall health of the aquarium will keep your fish in good color and health.
Maintenance of Water Quality for Batter Color of Fish
- Monitor the water parameters to check for Nitrates, Nitrites, and Ammonia in the water.
- Install a batter quality filter into your tank. According to the size and species. Keep the filter clean as per need.
- Keep the water in your tank clean. Change the 20% to 30% of the water on a needed basis to remove any harmful toxins from the water.
- Don’t overfeed your fish. Feed the fish in small portions that can be eaten in a few minutes.
- Place live plants into the water. They are best for absorbing harmful waste from the water.
- Fish need a specific temperature, so use a heater or chiller as per their preference.
Color-Changing Symptoms that Show Sick Fish
- The fadness in the color of the fish can be an indicator that the fish is sick. The color of fish could be pale, and fish can be lethargic.
- Change in the color of fish, the form of spots and lesions show that fish is affected with parasites or bacteria. White spot on the skin indicates the ICH.
- Rapids breathing and gasping around the surface, as well as dull color, show that fish are under stress.
- The fading color while the fish is holding his fins close to the body is a sign that the fish is sick.
- Fish can lose color if it is old. Factor of aging can be the reason for your fish’s pale color. You can use color enhancing food but as it is the matter of age there is nothing much you can do.
Conclusion
The color of the fish indicates so many reasons. That could be for safety or to attract males, or the reason could be genetics or environmental. The color variation helps them to blend into the environment which is unrecognizable for the predator and prey.
The bright colors of the fish are also a sign of warning to other fishes. Fishes can lose their color due to different reasons. The reason could be stress, illness, poor quality, or dominant tank mates. The maintenance of the environment for the health of fish is very important.
Fish can change color due to any of these reasons. By taking precautions, the coloration and health of fish can be maintained. To enhance the coloration, providing food with rich nutrients can increase the visibility of the color. Aquatics use different foods to change the color of the fish to have more beautiful aquatic species.