Investigating feasible light configurations for fish restoration: An ethological insight

•The behavior of Ptychobarbus kaznakovi was studied in visible light of 15−120 lx.•Fish locomotion strategy was used to quantify light-induced behaviors.•Stress response and innate preference promote the fish swim in red and green light.•Red and green lights are ideal in fish expulsion and attraction.•An optimized light environment can facilitate fish protection effort.