Tank Colour and Light Spectrum: The Essential Adaptation of Laboratories to Different Species

Global, 3 February 2025 | Optimising Experimental Conditions for More Accurate Aquaculture Research

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Laboratory studies play a fundamental role in the advancement of modern aquaculture, providing critical insights into the growth, physiology, and welfare of various fish species. However, their reliability can be compromised if key factors, such as tank colour and light spectrum, are not properly considered. These environmental elements directly impact growth rates, stress levels, and survival, making them crucial aspects of experimental design. Applying uniform conditions to all species can distort findings and result in data that do not accurately represent real-world conditions.

Previous researches have demonstrated that certain species exhibit better growth in red tanks, while other thrive in darker or lighter environments, depending on their biology and natural habitat. If these differences are overlooked in experimental settings, fish responses can be significantly affected by stress, leading to misleading interpretations of their development and behaviour.

For instance, a species that naturally prefers dark environments may display avoidance behaviours and heightened stress levels if placed in a brightly lit, white tank. Similary, species adapted to well-lit conditions may show reduced growth rates if kept in dimly lit surroundings.

These mismatches can lead to inaccurate assessment of a species’ true potential under optimal conditions.

To prevent such biases, laboratories must tailor experimental conditions to suit the specific needs of each species. Designing research protocols that accurately reflect the natural habitats of fish is essential to ensuring the precision of collected data.

One notable example is the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and the Europea seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), two species widely farmed across Europe. Studies have consistently shown that these fish exhibit a strong preference for light-coloured tanks, particularly blue ones, which reduce stress and encourage natural behaviours such as schooling. This environment has also been linked to improved feeding efficiency and growth rates, making it the most suitable choice for their rearing.

Despite the wealth of evidence supporting these findings, many laboratory studies continue to use standard tank colours without considering species-specific preferences. This oversight could compromise the validity of experimental results.

To ensure great accuracy, research on these species should be conducted in blue tanks, as they best replicate their natural environment and minimise stress-related variables. Furthermore, external disturbances should be minimised, especially when using light-coloured tanks, to prevent external factors from influencing fish behaviour.

As aquaculture moves towards more efficient and sustainable models, laboratory research must reflect the genuine needs of each species. The choice tank colour and light spectrum is not a minor detail but a critical factor in the reliability of experimental outcomes. But adapting experimental conditions to align with the biological characteristics of different species, researchers can develop more effective farming strategies, promoting both sustainability and animal welfare in aquaculture production.

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