The Gorgeous and Vibrant World Under the Sea

The team here at Purrfect Paws is delving into the research to understand why our slippery friends get their gorgeous and vivid coloration.

Our lovable undersea friends gain their gorgeous coloration through a variety of mechanisms. The culprit for vibrant coats comes from specialized skin cells called chromatophores, which contain different types of pigments like melanophores (black/brown), cyanophores (blue), xanthophores (yellow), and erythrophores (red) (Chapman & Miles, 2002). Additionally, many naturally drab and unremarkable fish in color gain their beauty through diet – ingesting nutritional carotenoids. This is an unmistakable example of the old adage, “You are what you eat”!

Many of us, fish adorers, crave bountiful tanks of gorgeous multicolored fish; they bring a vibrancy and invaluable ambiance to any domestic setting. As previously discussed, fish pigment can originate from genetic or nutritional sources. Yet, unscrupulous exotic animal dealers may affix water-insoluble synthetic dyes to the fish a hapless pet parent may buy (Chapman & Miles, 2002). This is a note of warning to any prospective pet parent to be diligent in their pursuit of cultivating the perfect aquatic habitat.

When most of us think of the outermost layer of a fish, we often find ourselves repeating the mantra “scales, scales, scales”! Surprisingly, it isn’t just scales that proliferate on the dermis of our finned friends. In addition to scales, scutes, and plates often comprise the epidermis of fish. Furthermore, some fish have reject scales or their analogs altogether. These outer coatings are traditionally translucent, a massive plus for color lovers, with pigments in the layers below. Additionally, beyond the presence of chromatophores, some species of gorgeous color arise from the presence of special minerals. Altogether, if your goal is to beautify your abode with ornamental fish, staying abreast of what is causing the vibrancy is crucial.

Many of us aquatic wildlife enthusiasts have found ourselves perplexed as our once gorgeous fish begin to fade. Common causes include unfriendly fish company, poor water quality, malnutrition, and a lack of light (AP, 2024). Unsurprisingly, proper nutrition has a massive impact on our pet fish. But have no fear because the Purrfect Paws “Fin”tastic pet box contains expertly curated aquatic nutrition to ensure vibrancy. The boxes also contain water testing strips and world-class filters to provide Goldy with everything he needs!

The “ins” and “outs” of fish ownership can stump even the most vigilant pet parents. The overarching theme here is to impart to the owner that not all fish are genetically disposed to display gorgeous coloration. Fish that do not inherit vibrant genes can still be visually altered by feeding them food high in carotenoids and other pigmentation. Furthermore, a fish that was once vibrant but is beginning to fade should be a cue to the owner that something is wrong. The more vibrant the fish, the happier and healthier it tends to be. For more information about fish coloration and its subliminal messages, click here!

Chapman, F. A., & Miles, R. D. (2002). The role of carotenoids in fish health and pigmentation. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA192

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. (n.d.). Why is my fish losing color?. https://www.aquariumpharm.com/fish-losing-color/