This study investigated the behavioral and physiological adaptation characteristics of Lateolabrax maculatus to different light colors at both population and individual levels. We analyzed the liver enzyme activity, retinal tissue morphology, and eye transcriptomics under preferred light colors. Five light colors (red, yellow, blue, green, and white) were used to explore population and individual color peference behavior. The results showed that the population color trend index (PCTI) and population retention time (PRT) of Lateolabrax maculatus were significantly higher under blue and white lights than those of other (P＜0.05). However, differences were observed in light-color preferences between populations and individuals; populations showed a stronger preference for blue light, whereas individuals preferred white light. Additionally, higher tail beat frequency (PTBF) was observed in red and yellow light regions. Physiological analysis indicated that hepatic antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly lower (P＜0.05) under blue light than those under green light. Retinal analysis showed an increased number of cone cells (C. C) under blue light compared to green and white light, though the pigment index (PI) was lower. The KEGG annotation of the eye transcriptome showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the green light group were mainly enriched in the calcium signaling pathway compared with that in the white light group, in which genes such as α7nAChR and casq were up-regulated within the pathway. Furthermore, green light upregulated motor protein signaling pathway genes (myh, tnn2, and tpm1) in the eyes of periwinkles compared to the blue and white light. In summary, Lateolabrax maculatus populations displayed a stronger tendency toward blue light and experienced lower stress levels under blue light compared to other light colors.