Fish That Glow Under Black Light

Fluorescent colors glow under a black light so any fish that features fluorescents should produce a unique look under uv lighting.

Fish that glow under black light.

Today there are 12 lines species and color combination of glofish including tetras zebra fish and barbs in such colors as electric green moonrise pink and cosmic blue. The fish appear bright under normal white light and fluoresce brilliantly under a blue light. Unfortunately black lights produce too much harmful uv rays to be used. Some bottles will grow more brightly than others so if you re after the glow take a pen sized black light with you to the store.

Normal fish aren t bothered by blue light or even black light that much but won t really be seen in an aquarium with just uv. The benefit is that uv light tends to cause some materials to fluoresce. The bitter flavoring of tonic water is due to the presence of quinine which glows blue white when placed under a black light. A color is only fluorescent if it s able to absorb light at the right wavelength.

Many types of paints used on ornaments will fluoresce or glow when exposed to some form of uv light. You ll see the glow in both regular and diet tonic water. Many living corals produce uv protective pigments that will fluoresce under uv light as well. They are also quite striking under black light in a completely darkened room.