Does a darker color (black) intensify the color of all the shrimpies?? I have read that a dark substrate will enhance the color of the RCS...is this true? Is this true with all shrimpies?
Substrate
- Thread starter shrimpylady
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I would say in general a darker or black substrate (plus a painted black background) makes all fish and inverts colors pop. Usually over a lighter substrate a lot of fish tend to look paler and duller to try to blend in to the substrate. I personally dont know if shrimp are able to make themselves paler, but i'd still use a dark substrate.
I dont think its optical. You mean they just look redder because of the darker substrate? I would disagree. I have a RCS tank with black gravel and my girlfriend has RCS with cream/white gravel and mine are redder. LOL is redder a word? If not it should be.
it helps brings out their color. just like lfs uses different color substrate to bring out the color of fish.
Color theory is indeed what makes any colors look good. For instance, look at how Rembrandt uses dark shadows with a red accent. This is a simplification, Rembrandt was also a master of shadow, but the red fits. In essence, the dark surrounding red absorbs most of the visible light rays. Therefore the red light that reflect off of the shrimp is less diffused by other bright rays, making it more redder. 
The substrate does not physically change the hue or saturation of the shrimps. Color does physically change due to stress, which causes it to mute, while good health improves it. The same is true of most animals.
The substrate does not physically change the hue or saturation of the shrimps. Color does physically change due to stress, which causes it to mute, while good health improves it. The same is true of most animals.
It does more then just the color theory. The proper substrate also maintains a slightly acidic pH and helps keep the water soft, which is important for your shrimp tank, and gives your shrimp better conditions to be at its best colors!