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Is that true to say, if I want to brighten up the Royal Pleco color and to have clear/well-marked strips, I need a white/lighter shade substrate and background?

Also, the lighting need to be intense and strong, using day-light is the best. I plan to instal a 3 x 55 Watt light bulb to achieve this purpose. Are this too strong for Royal Pleco? Currently only having red & green light bulb with 30 Watt each and already losing its brightness.

Your advice will be appreciated.

To my experience, P. nigrolineatus (aka a football with fins) showed much deeper and more intense color when I moved it to a larger tank with dark gravel (brown and black plant substrate). Also, Synodontas angelicus went from a dark gray to a deep, velvelty purple in that tank.

Main reason I use very dark substrate in my tanks (marine included) - better color on the fishes.

Just my 2 cents.

Dave

Most fish`s color look better with dark substrat and dark water (from black peat) And as the most catfish like to sleep when sun is shining the would hide in a dark area of the tank if you put much light`s on

djw66 wrote:To my experience, P. nigrolineatus (aka a football with fins) showed much deeper and more intense color when I moved it to a larger tank with dark gravel (brown and black plant substrate). Also, Synodontas angelicus went from a dark gray to a deep, velvelty purple in that tank.

Main reason I use very dark substrate in my tanks (marine included) - better color on the fishes.

Just my 2 cents.

Dave

Actually, I've the same thinking. Nevertheless, a friend advised that for Royal, using the dark substrate & background with limited lights will darken its color. So the Royal will be dark and not so attractive.
By using lighter substrate, white background & using daylight will enchance and brighten the Royal color and its marking...
So, which is which ?

Dave[/quote] Actually, I've the same thinking. Nevertheless, a friend advised that for Royal, using the dark substrate & background with limited lights will darken its color. So the Royal will be dark and not so attractive.
By using lighter substrate, white background & using daylight will enchance and brighten the Royal color and its marking...
So, which is which ? [/quote]

To clarify, I said that the color deepens, not darkens, and I use bright , full spectrum lights on my freshwater tanks (roughly 4 or 5 watts per US gallon) for the plant's benefit; I provide overhangs of bogwood and plants to filter that light, as in IMO, fish look better swimming though dappled 'sunlight'.

According to everything I've read and observed, fish adapt to their surroundings in an attempt to 'blend in'. Thus, they pale in a tank with light substrate and surroundings, and their color deepens over a dark substrate and a midground of bogwood (which a Royal needs).

Final choice is, of course, up to you, as I'm speaking from my experience; 30+ years in the hobby. To me, fish look better and appear more 'relaxed' over a dark substrate. Not to contradict your friend, but this works for me and my fish. Enjoy your Royal; they are fascinating fish, and start planning that larger tank - a 16-18 inch Royal is a lot of fish .

Dave[/i]

djw66 wrote:To clarify, I said that the color deepens, not darkens, and I use bright , full spectrum lights on my freshwater tanks (roughly 4 or 5 watts per US gallon) for the plant's benefit; I provide overhangs of bogwood and plants to filter that light, as in IMO, fish look better swimming though dappled 'sunlight'.

According to everything I've read and observed, fish adapt to their surroundings in an attempt to 'blend in'. Thus, they pale in a tank with light substrate and surroundings, and their color deepens over a dark substrate and a midground of bogwood (which a Royal needs).

Final choice is, of course, up to you, as I'm speaking from my experience; 30+ years in the hobby. To me, fish look better and appear more 'relaxed' over a dark substrate. Not to contradict your friend, but this works for me and my fish. Enjoy your Royal; they are fascinating fish, and start planning that larger tank - a 16-18 inch Royal is a lot of fish .

Dave[/i]

I agree in your comment.
The deepen color and darken marking/strip will make a beautiful Royal. They appeared to be more relaxed with the darker environment, certainly hold true... THANKS.