Effect of background color on the growth pattern and coloration of guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of background color on the growth, skin pigmentation and breeding performances of guppy, Poecilia reticulata. Guppy fish was reared in tanks with four different colors as treatments such as T₀ (transparent), T₁ (red), T₃ (blue) and T₄ (green) for 5 months. There were significant differences in growth and coloration among the treatments. The growth performance was found significantly higher in transparent background compared to the other treatments. The results showed that the highest mean weight (0.259 ±0.018 g), mean length (3.067±0.208 cm) and SGR (0.165±0.012) of the fish were significantly higher in T₀. Least mean weight (0.167± 0.025 g), mean length (2.53±.0.058 cm) and SGR (0.104±0.017) were observed in T₁ indicating association of red color with slower growth performance of guppy, compared to other treatments. Study showed significant influence of background color in skin pigmentation. Fishes reared in transparent tanks showed the highest value of carotenoid (0.00175±0.00004mg/g) and fishes reared in the red tank showed the lowest value of carotenoid (0.00092±0.000035 mg/g). Green background enhanced red orange color on fish skin and provided high amount of carotenoid value (0.00143±0.000046 mg/g) than that with blue (0.00095±0.000025 mg/g). These results suggest significant influence of background color on growth and skin pigmentation patterns of Guppy.