STUDY OF LOSE AND GAIN OF MELANOPHORES (MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY) AFTER PROLONGED ADAPTATION IN BLACK AND WHITE BACKGROUND IN FRESH WATER FISH PUNTIUS

The fresh water fish Puntius rapidly changed their color according to their background; palling when the background was white and darkening, when it was black. After the prolonged adaptation of fish in black and white background for 25 days, it was observed that the population of melanophores increases in black background and fish will darken it skin coloration due to the melanophores dispersion all over the body. Darkening of fishes is regulated by the melanocyte stimulating hormons. On the other hand when fishes were kept on white background for 25 days, the number of of melanophores may decreases through cell apoptosis and the skin color lighter. This allows them to camouflage themselves by matching their environment.