lighting necessary?

[Dial92]

is light needed for fish? i see everyone saying they have their lights on for 5-7 hour a day my big tank gets probably no light during the week and my 125 only gets some sunlight. so just wondering if they need light or not

 

[CrimsonFog]

+1

Good question. I have my own theories, but would like to hear others thoughts.

 

[5thColumn]

I personally don't think they need light. It's not like they are swimming around in the wild with a spotlight following them everywhere under crystal clear water.

 

[Dial92]

thanks what i was thinking the only fish i see sunning them selves in the wild are gars and some cats fish and i think thats just to warm up and anything that lives under 3 feet in freshwater cant see light anyway.

 

[brettsdad2011]

The lights are for us...and the plants, if u have them.

Sent from my MB855 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Dial92]

no plants here fish wont tolerate them lol

 

[Gill Blue]

yes, most fish need light, how else will they see their food? some fish don't, many species of cats, blind cave fish... but most will die in a light-less environment.

 

[coyotethug]

Do most fish need light? Yes. Do they need the amount of light we give them? No. If they get some ambient light from the room they are in it is fine. Their circadian rhythms are adjusted by light just like ours. If you keep them in complete darkness it may throw off their rhythm. I keep rays and african cichlids in tanks in my basement. Both receive most of their light from ambient light through two small windows. They are happy, healthy, and in good condition. The rays are more active in the dim light. I don't get as consistent of breeding with the africans when the lights aren't on a 12 hour cycle however.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using MonsterAquariaNetwork App