Can fish see various colors differently?

Introduction

Some commercial anglers in Japan say that the fish can identify colors. They seem to have reached this conclusion from their experiences. But what does science tell us about it?

Research

Some researches concluded that fish can recognize colors. Many of these researches are using the method to measure the elecctric stimulus of fish retina. If some retinas react (or produce electric reaction in its cells) to the different input stimulus with different colors, then resercher can consider that the retina is sending the signal to their brain differently depending on the different colors.

The group of Kawamura lab confirmed that bream related species, and sun fish related species (large mouth bass and blue gill) differentiate colors. They consider that all the fish species can differentiate colors except some species living in the deep sea.

Preference of color?

We understand that fish can differentiate colors. Then, is it the case that fish have preference in some color? Kawamura, Kasedou et al (2010) tackled this question.

In Japan we use chumming to get certain fish (sea bream, Kurodai, Mejina, Spanish mackarel and more). The most popular chumming is krills. Kawamura, Kasedou et al (2010) used the colored krills to see the difference in reaction by the colors. The subjects of this experiment were Mejina (Girella punctata, Blackeye Seabream) and Kurodai (Acanthopagrus schlegelii , Black Seabream).

The result of the experiments showed that these fish reacted well to the natural colored krill and yellow colored krill. These researcher assumed that this preference in yellow is something instinctive. The reason why they like yellow is yet to be explained.

In Japanese fishing for Kurodai (Black Seabream), it is said that this fish likes yellow baits. We use corn and sweet potatos, and ground bait with powdered dried soybean. All these are kind of yellow color.

They also conducted the brief experience with Seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Their method was to measure the fish reaction to the electrical tape in different colors. The result showed the preference differs greatly depending on the background colors. Fish can see the color but they can see the color of the background. Some factors of color difference between the stimulus and background let them decide the reaction.

Additionally, they found the interesting fact from the experience. Transparent tape got reaction of the fish frequently. These fish might have experience to eat bait of transparent color (baby squid, small bait fish, plankton) and they react to transparent stimulus.

Conclusion

Fish can differentiate colors. And for anglers, it is definitely important to think about the colors of your bait. Since they can see colors, you need to think what they see in the colorful environment.

Implication of this fact makes the color selection really complicated. Under the same weather condition and with the same color of the lure, the color may look differently depending on that the fish looks at the lure from below (background is surface of the water) or from above (background can be the bottom).