Best Looking Fish Under Blue Lights

W00F · Mar 17, 2020

Hi Everyone,

I have a 20 gallon IM Nuvo with Coral.
A big factor when picking out fish is how they look in blue lights. Which have color pop?
My tank will be blue during the time I see it most.
Note: I can rehome if it’s a species that can handle being in a 20 gal when small.

I picked out these fish So far (factors besides color were considered):

1. Melanurus Wrasse
(loves to eat pests- I’ll rehome when bigger)

2. Tailspot Blenny
(I think it would add character to the tank)

3. Pistol Shrimp & Goby
Which Goby looks better in blue?
A) Blue Spotted Watchman Goby
Or
B) Randall's oby (Orange Stripe)

What do you think about these in blue lights? Any pictures? Any better suggestions?

1) Sunburst Anthias
2) Blotchy Anthias
3) Azure Damselfish
4) Purple or Helfrichi Firefish
5) Talbot Damsel
6) Kaudern's Cardinalfish
7) Da Vinci Clown - (heard maroon isn’ta good option for my tank)

Thanks!

SteveEreef · Mar 17, 2020

I have a tailspot blenny under all blue LEDs. I like him but he is timid and his colors do not pop. I got him for eating algae and his personality.

Jesterrace · Mar 17, 2020

Melanurus would outgrow a 20 long very quickly. I had one in a 36 gallon bowfront that outgrew it within a few months and it was a really small juvie. The problem is that they don't color up until they mature and are pretty drab as juvies. Tailspot and Goby would be great choices long term for that tank. Although as far as which fish really stands out under blue lights, I would have to give that award to the Blue "Devil" Damsel. Unfortunately it would be the only fish in that tank since they are terrible community fish. My LFS has one in their frag tank under blues and the colors pop in an amazing way.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 17, 2020

Electric blue damsels

NS Mike D · Mar 17, 2020

purple dottyback is another choice for a nano

similar to the tailspot blenny but more colorful and shows up under the actinic lights

SeaDweller · Mar 17, 2020

none, almost all fish look their best under daylight. This isn't like coral.

W00F · Mar 17, 2020

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Which Goby looks better in ablue?
A) Blue Spotted Watchman Goby
Or
B) Randall's oby (Orange Stripe)

Does anyone have pictures?

Gareth elliott · Mar 17, 2020

Most fish are like birds both virtually none have true pigments but color is caused by refraction in the feathers/scales.
So best looking fish objectively in unnatural lighting is a blue dragonette. As it is one of the few fish that is pigmented, and one of 2 animals on the planet naturally blue.

but I would’t put one in a 20 gallon.

W00F · Mar 17, 2020

Gareth elliott said:
Most fish are like birds both virtually none have true pigments but color is caused by refraction in the feathers/scales.
So best looking fish objectively in unnatural lighting is a blue dragonette. As it is one of the few fish that is pigmented, and one of 2 animals on the planet naturally blue.

but I would’t put one in a 20 gallon.

I agree. I wanted one but finally decided against it. It’s too much work and high chance of failure for a 20 gallon.

Can you I think of any other fish?

Gareth elliott · Mar 17, 2020

W00F said:
I agree. I wanted one but finally decided against it. It’s too much work and high chance of failure for a 20 gallon.

Can you I think of any other fish?

Lean towards fish that are primarily yellow, red and black. As these colors are most likely to be caused by pigment vs refraction.

nereefpat · Mar 17, 2020

W00F said:
6) Kaudern's Cardinalfish

That one. The white and black contrast looks great under blues, and will probably be fine in a 20 gallon.

jeffchapok · Mar 17, 2020

Mine is my blue devil damsel, but it's hard to get an accurate pic under blue light.

W00F · Mar 18, 2020

jeffchapok said:
Mine is my blue devil damsel, but it's hard to get an accurate pic under blue light.

I definitely would pick a Blue Devil but I hear they are very aggressive.

mort · Mar 18, 2020

Any of the various cleaner gobies would be good because they have that amazing coloured line and stay small.

jeffchapok · Mar 18, 2020

W00F said:
I definitely would pick a Blue Devil but I hear they are very aggressive.

I heard that too, but I took a chance anyway thinking I could always return it.

In the 8 months or so I've had it, it hasn't caused any real trouble, although to be fair, it is the last fish I added. He does dive at my Randall's goby during feeding time, but the goby pretty much hides from every other fish in the tank too. He's never damaged it.

I've got a 6-line wrasse as well that keeps the damsel in line. He'll charge it if it gets too rowdy, but other than that, everyone gets along okay. In addition to these 3, I've got 2 clowns and a flame hawk. It's pretty peaceful.

madweazl · Mar 18, 2020

Firefish still look decent under heavy blues and are appropriate for that size tank. Heavy blues make the vast majority of the fish very boring in appearance. They ruin the look of blue corals that would otherwise look fantastic as well (cali/oregon tort for instance).

Gareth elliott · Mar 18, 2020

Another option, if have room a small diy t5 hybrid. A single bulb of Pink bulb or day light can help wash out that overly blue color without a huge effect on par output.