Tropical Fish Capacitor Colour Code Chart for Vintage Electronics
Use the GeekPCBs tropical fish capacitor colour code chart to identify vintage 5-band capacitor values from their colour bands. Select each band colour to decode the capacitance value, tolerance, and voltage rating used on tropical fish capacitors. This reference is useful for arcade PCB repairs, pinball board repairs, vintage audio equipment, power supply servicing, and general electronics restoration where older colour-coded capacitors need to be checked or replaced.
Tropical Fish Capacitor Colour Code Chart
Interactive 5-band decoder for vintage tropical fish capacitors
Visual Reference
How to Use This Tropical Fish Capacitor Chart
This interactive tropical fish capacitor colour code chart helps decode vintage 5-band capacitors commonly found in older electronic equipment, arcade boards, radios, and pinball machines.
Select the first band for the first digit, the second band for the second digit, and the third band for the multiplier. Then choose the tolerance band and voltage band to match the capacitor you are reading.
The decoded result is shown instantly in picofarads (pF), nanofarads (nF), and microfarads (µF), making it easier to identify capacitor values during repairs and restorations.
Interactive Decoder
Decoded Result
Capacitance: 0 pF
Nanofarads: 0 nF
Microfarads: 0 µF
Tolerance: ±10%
Voltage: 100V
Formula: 00 × 1 = 0 pF
Digit Colour Key
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Grey
White
HOW TO USE THE TROPICAL FISH CAPACITOR COLOUR CODE CHART
Select each colour band from left to right to decode the tropical fish capacitor value. These vintage capacitors usually use a 5-band colour code, with bands for the first digit, second digit, multiplier, tolerance, and voltage rating. For example, a tropical fish capacitor with brown, black, orange, black, and red bands can be decoded by reading each colour band in order.
TROPICAL FISH CAPACITOR COLOUR CODE EXAMPLE
A tropical fish capacitor with brown, black, orange, black, and red bands is decoded like this:
Brown = 1
Black = 0
Orange = ×1,000 multiplier
Black = tolerance band
Red = voltage band
The capacitance value is 10,000 pF, which equals 10 nF or 0.01 µF.
TROPICAL FISH CAPACITOR FAQ
What is a tropical fish capacitor?
A tropical fish capacitor is a vintage colour-coded capacitor commonly found in older electronics, audio equipment, arcade boards, and pinball machines.
How do I read a tropical fish capacitor?
Read the colour bands from left to right. The bands usually identify the first digit, second digit, multiplier, tolerance, and voltage rating.
What does the multiplier band mean?
The multiplier band tells you how many zeros to add after the first two digits to calculate the capacitor value in picofarads.
Why are tropical fish capacitors replaced?
Tropical fish capacitors are often replaced during restoration because old capacitors can drift in value, become unreliable, or fail with age.