Gerry Bowles Freshwater Fishing

Color Fish

This article is part of a three part series on aquarium lights; be sure to read the entire series!

Choosing the proper aquarium lights is very different from lighting your home. At home, you probably just buy a bulb that fits the fixture, put it in place, and go on your way. Your biggest choices are between overhead lighting and lamps, and traditional incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescents.

If you own an aquarium, however, lighting becomes a more important consideration. After all, if you keep pets in an aquarium, you are responsible for providing them with a healthy environment that closely mimics their natural habitat. To do this successfully, you need a few pieces of information.

What's in your aquarium?

The first step in choosing lights is knowing what type of animals and plants you will be keeping in your tank. For the purposes of this article, we will be focusing on the care and keeping of fish.

o Freshwater fish: These are fish common to freshwater lakes and rivers, and are often referred to as "tropical fish." Freshwater fish include goldfish, guppies, swordtails, and cichlids. Freshwater tanks may also include plants which grow in freshwater.

o Saltwater fish: These are fish and animals found in the ocean. They require the owner to prepare a saltwater solution that replicates ocean water as closely as possible. Popular saltwater fish include damsel fish, clown fish, triggerfish, pufferfish, sharks, and more. Other common "pets" in saltwater tanks include sea stars, anemones, sea cucumbers, and fan worms.

o Brackish water: Fish who live where freshwater and saltwater sources meet are said to live in brackish water. The water in a brackish tank is less salty than that used for saltwater fish. Mollys are among the most popular brackish water fish. Generally, lighting requirements for a brackish water aquarium are the same as for a freshwater aquarium.

o Reef tanks: These are saltwater tanks that include more than just fish, such as living coral, living rock, living sand, etc.

What color is your light?

We generally think of light as having no color. But think about what happens when light shines through a prism. The rainbow that results is because ordinary light has been broken up into its various color wavelengths. Without a prism, these different color wavelengths are quite difficult for the eye to distinguish, but they are there. The color of light is expressed according to the Kelvin scale, which also measures light temperature.

Here's a quick rundown of the various lighting options.

o Lights rated at 5500K and below are typically incandescent bulbs in the red/yellow wavelength. These are not good choices for aquarium lights as they promote excessive algae growth. Natural sunlight is also to be avoided for this reason.

o 6500K lights are lights in the greenish/yellow wavelength. They are appropriate for freshwater tanks that are somewhat shallow (these lights are not good at penetrating deep water), as a supplement to saltwater or reef tanks using actinic light (more on that below), and for live plants.

o 10,000K lights produce a white light with a light bluish cast. This is a good choice for most tanks, including freshwater and saltwater tanks, and especially reefs tanks and tanks for deep water fish and plants. This type of light really shows off the beauty of your animals and plants to best advantage.

o 12,000K to 20,000K lights produce very intense white light with an increasingly bluish cast. These lights are best when the tank is deep, or you have fish that are natives of very deep water.

o Actinic light is not rated on the Kelvin scale. The numbers you will see on actinic bulbs are 420nm or 460nm, which are nanometer measurements. Think of actinic light as being on the very upper end of the blue spectrum nearing the ultraviolet range which we cannot completely see. The use of actinic light as aquarium lights is still undecided. They are most appropriate for reef tanks, and are often used in combination with other lights to provide light that more closely represents the full spectrum of natural light.

o Lunar or moon lights typically produce a blue light that does not provide much illumination, although white lunar lights reproduce the light of a full moon. These lights are usually LEDs and can be used in any type of tank, but are most useful when you need to simulate lunar cycles to breed fish.

Different colors of lights function better for different purposes. For example, a light that is in the greenish to yellow spectrum is good for the growth of live plants. Saltwater aquariums often do well with light from the blue end of the spectrum. Toward the red end of the spectrum, a light begins to produce more heat than light; think about the infrared lights you see over the fries in a fast food restaurant.

When choosing aquarium lights then, knowing what kinds of fish, animals and plants you will be keeping will help you know what color of light to buy.

Author- Len Loman

About Best Pet Lighting:

Our site is best known for having the right equipment for the right aquarium. We have great articles up on all areas of care for your aquarium but our main focus is

Aquarium Lights And Aquarium Heaters

Danio rerio Glo-Fish $7.99 The fascinating Glo-Fish has been genetically altered to give off a bright neon glow. The genes of this Zebra Danio have been altered with the genes of a certain anemone that features the illuminescence, and that is how the Glo-Fish came about! Glo-Fish were originally altered to a bright pink color, but now green, yellow, orange and blue fish are also common. Please contact the livestock department when placing your order if you have a color preference. The Glo-Fish is just as hardy as a regular Zebra Danio and also features the same bluish striping. They are an active fish that will hang out around mid-water or upper water level. They are great for community tanks. Feed them a varied diet of flake, small pellet, and occasional small-sized frozen food. The glowing coloration of the Glo-Fish will not fade or change - it is within their genetic structure and will actually be passed on to their offspring should they spawn. To see them "glow" at their best, keep a strong light on them for most of the day and then replace it with a black-light at night.

Pantodon buchholzi African Butterfly Fish $14.99 The African Butterfly Fish is an interesting fish that spends most of its time at the surface of the water. It has a long slender body and large pectoral fins that angle upwards like wings. These wings enable the butterfly fish to jump exceptionally well, so provide a tigh-fitting cover. This fish is silvery to olive in color with a chocolate to black marbled pattern on the body. This pattern varies between specimens, with some fish appearing almost completely dark. Its long ventral fins are deeply serrated, giving them the appearance of many fine filaments extending from a central origin. The other fins are transparent with dark rays. Male African butterflies have a curved anal fin, while in females the anal fin is straight. These fish are surface predators, and feed primarily on insects, larvae and other small items that fall into the water. They can usually be weaned onto a pellets or frozen foods, but should always have some live insects included in their diet. These fish are relatively peaceful, and can be kept with most community fish. They will, however, eat very small fish on occasion, such as fry, so be sure that tankmates are too large to be swallowed. African butterflies are shy, and need subdued lighting and plenty of hiding places. Appropriate shelters can be made using floating plants and other decorations that reach the upper area of the tank.

Nano Reef Fish Food - 15 g $2.69 Marine pellet food is ideal for all saltwater fish. Natural attractants help entice, while natural color enhancers help bring out the best colors and boost the immune systems of your fish. Soft, moist slow sinking pellets will not cloud your tank's water, and spirulina algae and garlic are added for extra nutrition. A high HUFA and vitamin content helps round out the best diet for your marine aquarium's fish.

Fish $3.49 Fish Rub-On Vinyl Cut Christian fish symbol with the word Jesus inside. This rub on comes in one of three colors; blue, red or white. Sorry, no color choice is available.

Color Fish $1.99 Color Fish Temporary Tattoo Temporary tattoo of a fish. It has an array of colors. Easy to apply directions included. Tattoo is made with FDA approved inks and lasts for days. Made in the USA. Comes in a group of 5. Size is approximate.

Massivore Delite Aquarium Fish Food - 13.2 oz $23.99 Really big carnivorous aquarium fish have waited (patiently?) for years for a pellet diet designed specifically for them. This unique fish food from Hikari offers the caloric content of approximately two feeder goldfish without all the unwanted side effects and possible disease exposure associated with the real thing. Enhanced formula also contains color-enhancing ingredients to keep those big boys shiny and their colors bright.

Betta splendens Siamese Fighting Fish- Male $3.99 Bettas are one of the most beautiful of all the anabantoids (gouramis, or "air-breathers"). Their ability to breathe air directly from the atmosphere enables them to live in the stagnant pools and puddles in which they naturally occur. The bettas seen in stores today are very different from the wild types. Throughout the years the betta has been bred for longer fins and intense colors. They are very different from the short finned, mostly brown, wild bettas. Bettas have evolved a very intense territorial aggression to the point where they are best kept by themselves. They do not tolerate other males and females are only tolerated when breeding. This natural behavior and their ability to breathe atmospheric air makes them ideal for keeping in bowls and small aquaria. As long as the water is kept relatively warm and is changed regularly, they do very well. Bettas are carnivorous fish and must be fed meaty foods. There are many special prepared Betta diets (flake/pellet) that are excellent foods. Blood worms, brine shrimp, and plankton are also excellent as treats. Keep in mind that a betta has a stomach about the size of it's eye. It should be fed an eyeful every day to maintain it's shape and health. It is very popular to keep bettas in a flower vase with a terrarium plant like the peace lily. This is an excellent setup for the fish but the water must be changed weekly or more and the fish fed regularly to keep it healthy. You must also keep a fair amount of space between the water level and top of the vase, because bettas need an open space to breathe atmospheric air. Also, BETTAS DO NOT EAT THE ROOTS OF THE PLANT! This is a popular misconception about this particular setup. If you happen to see your betta nibbling the roots, this is probably just out of starvation (if you aren't feeding it) or boredom. PLEASE NOTE: There are many names for the particular betta color patterns but most are variations of blue and/or red colors. The fish pictured above are representative of some of the variations available. If you are looking for a specific coloration, contact a livestock department representative or simply allow us to choose one of our favorites for you!

Betta splendens Siamese Fighting Fish - Female $2.99 Bettas are one of the most beautiful of all the anabantoids (gouramis, or "air-breathers"). Their ability to breathe air directly from the atmosphere enables them to live in the stagnant pools and puddles in which they naturally occur. The bettas seen in stores today are very different from the wild types. Through the years, the betta has been bred for longer fins and intense colors. They are very different from the short finned, mostly brown, wild bettas. Female bettas look like male bettas, except they have small fins and are usually a little less colorful. Bettas have evolved a very intense territorial aggression to the point where they are best kept by themselves. They do not tolerate other males and females are only tolerated when breeding. This natural behavior and their ability to breathe atmospheric air makes them ideal for keeping in bowls and small aquaria. As long as the water is kept relatively warm and is changed regularly, they do very well. Bettas are carnivorous fish and must be fed meaty foods. There are many special prepared Betta diets (flake/pellet) that are excellent foods. Blood worms, brine shrimp, and plankton are also excellent as treats. Keep in mind that a betta has a stomach about the size of it's eye. It should be fed an eyeful every day to maintain it's shape and health. It is very popular to keep bettas in a flower vase with a terrarium plant like the peace lily. This is an excellent setup for the fish but the water must be changed weekly or more and the fish fed regularly to keep it healthy. You must also keep a fair amount of space between the water level and top of the vase, because bettas need an open space to breathe atmospheric air. Also, BETTAS DO NOT EAT THE ROOTS OF THE PLANT! This is a popular misconception about this particular setup. If you happen to see your betta nibbling the roots, this is probably just out of starvation (if you aren't feeding it) or boredom. There are many names for the particular betta color patterns but most are variations of blue and/or red colors. If you are looking for a specific coloration, contact a livestock department representative or simply allow us to choose one of our favorites for you! Bettas may not be shipped to California.

Color Fish Bowl $34.99 Linda Braucht Color Fish Bowl - Giclee Print

Growth & Color Pellets Koi Food with Probiotics - 2 lb. $11.99 This superb food promotes health, growth, and color enhancement in all fish, from competition koi to pond goldfish. Floating pellets are easy for fish to feed on.

Tropical Color Flakes - 1.02 oz. $3.49 Delicious tropical flake food features whole fish meal made up largely of salmon, herring and sardines for maximum nutrition. Each individual flake is formulated with natural ingredients fish are attracted to, such as green spinach and red chili powder. Infused with vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients for optimum fish health. Unique formula contains an abundance of color enhancing pigments for bringing out the true beauty of your tropicals. All-natural diet lets your fish utilize more of what they eat, creating less waste and greater color, health, and vitality.

Koi Stix Growth & Color Food (Pellets) with Probiotics - Floating - 10 lb. $45.99 Floating Koi Stix promotes health, growth and color enhancement in all fish. It is easily digestible and contains the necessary amount of color enhancer necessary to greatly intensify your fish reds and blacks, while maintaining the whites.

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Pond Fish Food - 3.08 lb Bucket $24.99 This floating stick is an ideal diet for koi and brightens the colors of all pond fish. It has natural color enhances and stabilized vitamin C. Use in late spring, summer and early fall. It blends both animal and vegetable proteins to ensure complete nutritional value. The sticks soften immediately in water to release strong appetite stimulants and remain edible in water for a long time- for less mess and water pollution. Completely digestible, ideal for all sized koi.

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Pond Fish Food - 2.42 lb. Bag $18.99 This floating stick is an ideal diet for koi and brightens the colors of all pond fish. It has natural color enhances and stabilized vitamin C. Use in late spring, summer and early fall. It blends both animal and vegetable proteins to ensure complete nutritional value. The sticks soften immediately in water to release strong appetite stimulants and remains edible in water for a long time, for less mess and water pollution. Completely digestible, ideal for all sized koi.

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Pond Fish Food - 1.43 lb Bag $13.99 This floating stick is an ideal diet for koi and brightens the colors of all pond fish. It has natural color enhancers and stabilized vitamin C. Use in late spring, summer, and early fall. It blends both animal and vegetable proteins to ensure complete nutritional value. The sticks soften immediately in water to release strong appetite stimulants and remain edible in water for a long time- for less mess and water pollution. Completely digestible, ideal for all sized koi.

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Pond Fish Food - 4.94 oz. Can $4.99 This floating stick is an ideal diet for koi and brightens the colors of all pond fish. It has natural color enhances and stabilized vitamin C. Use in late spring, summer and early fall. It blends both animal and vegetable proteins to ensure complete nutritional value. The sticks soften immediately in water to release strong appetite stimulants and remains edible in water for a long time, for less mess and water pollution. Completely digestible, ideal for all sized koi.

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Pond Fish Food - 16.5 Box $84.99 This floating stick is an ideal diet for koi and brightens the colors of all pond fish. It has natural color enhances and stabilized vitamin C. Use in late spring, summer and early fall. It blends both animal and vegetable proteins to ensure complete nutritional value. The sticks soften immediately in water to release strong appetite stimulants and remains edible in water for a long time, for less mess and water pollution. Completely digestible, ideal for all sized koi.

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Pond Fish Food - 5.18 lb. Bag $33.99 This floating stick is an ideal diet for koi and brightens the colors of all pond fish. It has natural color enhances and stabilized vitamin C. Use in late spring, summer and early fall. It blends both animal and vegetable proteins to ensure complete nutritional value. The sticks soften immediately in water to release strong appetite stimulants and remains edible in water for a long time, for less mess and water pollution. Completely digestible, ideal for all sized koi.

ZAGGskins (Color Koi Fish 2) $19.99 ZAGGskins (Color Koi Fish 2)

ZAGGskins (Color Koi Fish 1) $19.99 ZAGGskins (Color Koi Fish 1)

Growth & Color Pellets Koi Food with Probiotics - 5 lb. $23.99 This is a floating, superb pellet food that promotes health, growth, and color enhancement in all fish, from competition koi to pond goldfish.

Growth & Color Pellets Koi Food with Probiotics - 10 lb. - Bucket $47.99 This is a floating, superb pellet food that promotes health, growth, and color enhancement in all fish, from competition koi to pond goldfish.

Growth & Color Pellets Koi Food with Probiotics - Floating - 20 lb. - Bucket $89.99 This is a floating, superb pellet food that promotes health, growth, and color enhancement in all fish, from competition koi to pond goldfish.

TetraMarine Color Flake - 1.84 oz. $5.99 This is a highly nutritous, brine shrimp enhanced, flake food that is designed to help the development of vibrant colors in marine fish. It will not cloud water if used as directed.

OSI Red Tiny Bits Fish Granules - Tiny - 2 mm - 6.69 oz. $6.99 Give your smaller aquarium fish a granule sized just for them. This easily-digestible formula is perfect for feeding discus, tetras, small cichlids, guppies and small marine fishes that don't like to wrestle for normal size pellets and flakes. Nutritious formula contains lots of color enhancers, attractants, and won't cloud your water. Specially-sized diet also allows for rapid growth, good body form and low waste. The best food for tiny tropical and marine fish. Tiny granules can be swallowed by even the smallest fish.

OSI Red Tiny Bits Fish Granules - Super Fine - 0.5 mm - 6.69 oz. $6.99 Give your smaller aquarium fish a granule sized just for them. This easily-digestible formula is perfect for feeding discus, tetras, small cichlids, guppies and small marine fishes that don't like to wrestle for normal size pellets and flakes. Nutritious formula contains lots of color enhancers, attractants, and won't cloud your water. Specially-sized diet also allows for rapid growth, good body form and low waste. The best food for tiny tropical and marine fish. Super fine granules fit into even the smallest mouths.

Tetra Color Bits Granules - 2.65 oz. $4.99 ColorBits Tropical Granules is a slow sinking food that can be consumed in mid-water where larger fish like Discus and Cichlids (Angelfish) prefer to feed. ColorBits is a highly nutritious diet which helps promote the development of vibrant colors of large tropical fish.

Color-A-Tank Sleeve - Neon Red - 48 in. $7.64 This cover intensifies and highlights all colors of fish, plants and rocks, also creates different seasons and moods. Fits over any diameter bulb.

TetraPond Spring and Fall Diet Floating Pond Fish Food - 7.05 oz. Can $7.69 These floating sticks should be used during the cold season. It is a balanced diet for all pond fish, promotes health, vitality and fertility. Use during late fall, early spring in water temperatures as low as 41 degrees. It is extremely easy to digest, enriched with spirulina, natural color enhancers, vitamin E and stabilized vitamin C, also has a high fiber content.

Gobiesox punctulatus Stippled Clingfish $29.99 The Cling Fish is a flattened fish similar to the "sucker fish" in freshwater. They are pale tan to yellow in color. These fish will eat many types of meaty foods and are good for small specialty aquariums. These fish are not commonly available in the aquarium hobby.

Koi Stix Growth & Color Food (Pellets) with Probiotics - Floating - 5 lb. $23.99 This superb food stix promotes health, growth and color enhancement in all fish, from competition koi to pond goldfish. It is an easily digestible formula and contains the exact amount of spirulina (color enhancer) necessary to greatly intensify your fishes reds and blacks, while maintaining brilliant whites.

Staple Koi Food with Probiotics - 20 lb. - Bucket $79.99 This is a complete, nutritionally balanced daily fish food for koi and goldfish. Floating pellets are easy for fish to feed on and provide everything fish need for ultimate color and health.

Staple Koi Food with Probiotics - 5 lb. - Bag $19.99 This is a complete, nutritionally balanced daily fish food for koi and goldfish. Floating pellets are easy for fish to feed on and provide everything fish need for ultimate color and health.

Staple Koi Food with Probiotics - 10 lb. - Bucket $39.99 This is a complete, nutritionally balanced daily fish food for koi and goldfish. Floating pellets are easy for fish to feed on and provide everything fish need for ultimate color and health.

Cichlid Color Sticks - 4.58 oz. $7.89 Cichlid Color Sticks is a highly nutritious diet designed to help promote the developement of the natural pink to orange-red colors of Cichlids like Blue Acaras and Firemouths. When used as directed this will not cloud your water.

Toy with Color Discs - Medium $5.99 Spoil your bird with fantastic toys that stimulate and encourage your bird's natural curiosity and cleverness Fruity flavors Fun colors and shapes for hours of avian enjoyment Size: 11" long x 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" wide.

Toy with Color Discs - Small $3.99 Spoil your bird with fantastic toys that stimulate and encourage your bird's natural curiosity and cleverness Fun colors and shapes for hours of avian enjoyment Non-toxic, bird-tough materials. Size: 8.5" long.

Tetra Variety Blend Sticks Floating Pond Fish Food - 5.29 oz. Can $5.99 These floating sticks are 3 blended foods for goldfish, koi, and orfe. It contains a mixture of : a staple food, a color enhancer, and a wheat germ stick to promote vitality. Use during spring, summer and autumn. Contains stabilized vitamin C for a healthy immune system.

Tetra Variety Blend Sticks Floating Pond Fish Food - 1.32 lb. Bag $15.99 These floating sticks are 3 blended foods for goldfish, koi, and orfe. It contains a staple food stick, a color enhancer stick, and a wheat germ stick to promote vitality. Use during spring, summer and autumn. Contains stabilized vitamin C for a healthy immune system.