Ref. #3F8488 · 5006-8C
Fish Story
19%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Fish Story Technical Profile
What color is Fish Story? It's a deep cool blue with the hex code #3F8488. Colors similar to Fish Story include MPC Aquateal met., RAL Turquoise Blue, Farrow & Ball Vardo. Fish Story has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 19, Fish Story creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Pair it with cool whites like Chantilly Lace, walnut or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Brass accents add warmth for a layered look. Blues stay crisp under 4000K+ cool LEDs. Under 2700K warm bulbs they can read grayer or shift slightly purple — particularly true for mid-tone and saturated blues.
Colors Similar to Fish Story
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Fish Story
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Fish Story
#3F8488
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#617A99
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Fish Story
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Fish Story Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Valspar Colors
Other Valspar colors close to Fish Story.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Fish Story — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Fish Story have?
Fish Story by Valspar has a cool (blue) undertone and belongs to the blue color family.
What colors match Fish Story from other brands?
The closest matches are Aquateal met. by MPC (#488386), Turquoise Blue by RAL (#3F888F), Vardo by Farrow & Ball (#427E83). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Fish Story?
Fish Story has an LRV of 19.3, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Fish Story
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Fish Story's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.