Impact of Background on Color Performance of False Clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, Cuvier

Color performance of false clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, Cuvier was first examined at four color backgrounds (blue, green red, and white) for 4 wk, then all fish were transferred to a white background for another 4 wk to test whether the impact of background colors on fish skin could have a lasting effect when the environment colors are changed. The experiment was conducted in 10-L rectangular plastic buckets with three replicates. Thirty fish were stocked in each bucket and three fish were randomly sampled from each tank in Weeks 1, 4, and 8. The color hue, saturation, and brightness were quantified using image analysis. In addition to the whole body analysis, each fish image was divided into ventral and dorsal parts to examine the body position-dependent response. Furthermore, color differences among the dorsal fin, anal fin, ventral fin, and caudal fin were also quantified. Blue or green background enhanced red orange color on fish skin, whereas white background made fish color brighter. Irrespective of background color, the dorsal side of fish exhibited more red orange, but the color was less bright and less saturated than that of ventral side. Upper fins (dorsal and caudal fins) were more red orange in a blue background than in a white background. Transferring fish from colored backgrounds to a white background made the fish skin and fins brighter, the color of ventral body and ventral fins less saturated, and the bottom fins more yellow orange. The results indicate that blue or green background could strengthen the orange color, whereas white background made fish color less saturated but brighter. The impact of background on the performance of fish color is temporary and likely to disappear when environmental color changes.