Is flash harmful to the fish?

[Matt724]

I've always been afraid to use the flash mode whenever I take pictures of my fish (even though, unfortunately I've had to in order to get a still picture). I just want to know, since they don't actually have eyelids and just have to accept it, but I've come to realize that most of the most amazing photographs of fish (one that comes to mind instantly is Aquamojo) who use flashes when they take pictures of their fish (and in the case of Aquamojo, almost daily) if the flash really affects their fish. My fish, don't really spazz out when I use flash, but they tend to become a little bit more timid and lose a lot of color faster.

I just wanted to see what most people thought.

 

[haynchinook334]

If the fish were to blink, then I would say it is bad for them.

 

[krzr3000]

I don't think anyones opinion has any bearing, its the facts that matter and i don't think anyone here is a scientist with the answers. But anyways i can't imagine a flash is good, but the impact would probably depend on the fish. As fish that live in shallow reefs are exposed to sunlight whereas fish of depths or murky waters may not be adapted to handle flash.

 

[Industrial]

I use a wide aperture and a quick shutter speed, I have to manual focus and the fish has to be still though. Flash always looks like crap when I try it. Then again I have a cheap knockoff camera!

Manual settings make fish photography much easier for me.

As for the possible harm, I think it could harm fish or at least cause future skittishness.

 

[12 Volt Man]

shouldn't hurt the fish's eyes at all.

remember it is being filtered through glass and then through water before it hits their retina's (which have rods and cones just like our eyes).

it could spook them, but in terms of doing anything to the fish's vision, no.

 

[scottgeeze]

I highly doubt it's harmful. I don't think any other living creature has had side effects from it. From Humans to Dog's, Cat's or Fish.

 

[greenterra]

I don't believe it harms them in any way at all. None of my fish react when the flash goes of at all and there are no after effects like fish bouncing off the walls.

 

[Matt724]

I highly doubt it's harmful. I don't think any other living creature has had side effects from it. From Humans to Dog's, Cat's or Fish.

i didn't mean harm as in loosing sight forever, but I can't seem to shake the idea that when the flash goes off, they have some sort of heart attack or something due to intense fear and surprise. I know I'd be scared if a huge flash of light without me knowing it just flashed in front of me for no reason.

 

[flipstylex]

i dont think so, just dont do it to nocturnal fishes, like red tail cat or clown knives. i did this once to my knife and he smashed the glass

 

[sAroock]

i would say yes, in the sense of temporary harmful. Just like us when talking flash shots at night..