Do tanning lights use for arowana has the same effect with cichlids? I am planning to use a tanning light for midas cichlid. Does anyone tried this before?
Tanning lights for cichlids
- Thread starter Rakeboy
- Start date
Pretty esoteric for the cichlid world, I've never heard of anyone trying it, so not surprised at no comments yet. I've only ever heard of it for line bred arowana and even then I've seen some debate over whether or not it's humane. In any case it doesn't fit their natural habitat of subdued sunlight, which to me explains how some arowana react to 'tanning' lights. Also, comments I've seen on when it works and when it doesn't with line bred arowana makes me doubt it will do much for cichlids that clean water, decent food, and normal decent quality lights don't already do. To me the best approach always is get quality stock, do what keeps them healthy, have decent lights (normal lights, not tanning lights) and growth and color will follow.
I'd also consider this:
Do fish get sunburned? (slate.com)
I'd also consider this:
Do fish get sunburned? (slate.com)
...I had never heard of this as I don't keep arowana, but after a few minutes of Google searching it seems like a horribly cruel practice that amounts to abuse if you ask me. So hell NO I would never subject my fish - cichlids or otherwise - to it and I highly suggest that you don't either.
I am echoing what others said before about it being a bad idea. I feel like tanning lights are extremely concentrated and would likely give fish their equivalent of sun poisoning. Especially as tanks usually lack any depth to get away from the light.
I also think you could likely use an LED "sun panel" instead that you can find online for growing plants. I had this kind of light in an Aquaponics setup and the goldfish had rich black coloration the whole time.
I also think you could likely use an LED "sun panel" instead that you can find online for growing plants. I had this kind of light in an Aquaponics setup and the goldfish had rich black coloration the whole time.
I never thought that tanning lights is bad for fish. In arowana keepers here in philippines most keeper suggest to use tanning lights for better coloration of aros. That is why i thought i would also boost the color of my midas cichlid. Anyway, thanks for the infor guys!
Why would anyone use tanning lights? If you’re looking for a more blue spectrum, just get reef type lighting
The idea behind tanning lights is that fish produce more pigments to protect themselves from UV radiation. For example guppies from outdoor ponds tend to show better colours than their siblings raised indoors.
The problem with tanning lights is that the uvb radiation reaching the fish is quite (too) high and the fish are exposed to it for too long. Too much UV radiation is stressful for the fish's whole system and potentially cancerous.
Especially most cichlids avoid to be in the open sun or simply stay far enough from the surface. In 2 feet depth uv radiation is already reduced by 65%.
The problem with tanning lights is that the uvb radiation reaching the fish is quite (too) high and the fish are exposed to it for too long. Too much UV radiation is stressful for the fish's whole system and potentially cancerous.
Especially most cichlids avoid to be in the open sun or simply stay far enough from the surface. In 2 feet depth uv radiation is already reduced by 65%.
In this day and age, despite all the well-known and irrefutable dangers of excessive UV light, there are still people who will purposely expose themselves to it out of pure vanity. Gotta look good!
Bearing that in mind...if you are actually surprised to find that there are also folks who will do the same, and much worse, to their fish and other animals...for the same shallow reasons...then you just haven't been paying attention.
Bearing that in mind...if you are actually surprised to find that there are also folks who will do the same, and much worse, to their fish and other animals...for the same shallow reasons...then you just haven't been paying attention.