Does The Backdrop Color Affect Vibrancy In Fish?

In aquascaping my tank, I found great appeal in a darker theme. I figured it would make the colors on the fish pop out more, becoming more vibrant and aesthetically pleasing - black sand, black backdrop, bright fish. Recently, I heard that the backdrop does have an affect on the color of fish, but for each species it varies. According to the video in which I got this information from, some species (like Discus) will be more vibrant on a lighter backdrop, whereas other species (like Goldfish) will be more vibrant on a darker one.

The fish I will be getting are Firemouth Cichlids. I was wondering if a darker backdrop versus a lighter one would be good, or if in this circumstance the opposite would be preferable. I'm new to this, so maybe the color doesn't matter, and that information wasn't true at all. Any information you have on the subject is welcome!

 

In aquascaping my tank, I found great appeal in a darker theme. I figured it would make the colors on the fish pop out more, becoming more vibrant and aesthetically pleasing - black sand, black backdrop, bright fish. Recently, I heard that the backdrop does have an affect on the color of fish, but for each species it varies. According to the video in which I got this information from, some species (like Discus) will be more vibrant on a lighter backdrop, whereas other species (like Goldfish) will be more vibrant on a darker one.

The fish I will be getting are Firemouth Cichlids. I was wondering if a darker backdrop versus a lighter one would be good, or if in this circumstance the opposite would be preferable. I'm new to this, so maybe the color doesn't matter, and that information wasn't true at all. Any information you have on the subject is welcome!

id go for a darker backdrop. Since the fish will darken there colors to like match the backround. Also feed dainichI color supreme if u want color boost

 

Absolutely, fish darken and lighten according to background to inhibit predation. I use a blue background in my discus tank, its seems the best to bring out colors in fish.

 

I had no background when I started my 55. Looked OK. So looked around and some suggested to spray paint the back of the tank Black. My tank was already setup no way was I going to empty to spray. Tried black poster board as a background and everyone loved the way the fish colors were so vibrant (and also hid all the hoses and wires, etc).

 

Fish have "chromataphores", cells they can control for colour. A dark background does two things:
a) it removes an angle of attack. With an unpainted back, they react as if a predator will come barreling in from behind the tank. Give them a nice stream bank effect, and they will feel safer, and more likely to turn up the colours;
2) Once they are secure, what Discusluv said kicks in. They darken or intensify their colours to communicate, and to match their surroundings.