I positioned my guppies fish tank in a dark place, where the lights are off at 6pm...so when I check on them at 8pm, they are all lying on the bottom.....sleeping???
when I turned back the lights on...they are still looking restless...until I opened the lid, and they started to swim on the top surface and stayed there, watching me and being still.
In long term, will lack of light cause harm to them?
2007-07-20 03:07:49 · 5 answers · asked by jimmy 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
It's not good for any fish to be in complete darkness for a long time, but as long as they have enough light to see (through a window, other lights in the room) it's not necessary to have a tank light.
When it's completely dark, the fish will be less active, and will usually go to the bottom to rest (unless it's a nocturnal species). When the light comes on, it takes them a few moments to adjust and become active again.
If your fish are ones normally active in daylight, they probably won't feed unless you give them some amount of light, so yes, a lack of light can harm them, especially if you have fry. In fry tanks, people often leave the light on for a extended time and use an extra feeding during the day so the fish develop somewhat faster.
2007-07-20 03:15:54 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Like humans most fish need some form off sunlight, being a window or something. you can buy lights that give the fish the same effect as sunlight. sunlight is good for the fish it helps keep them happy and healthy, it is also good if u have live plants.If your tank is near a window and gets plenty light during the day then you wont need one, it would really only be for your viewing pleasure. Direct sunlight will make your tank get algae more rapidly although this is not a bad thing algae is a sign of a healthy tank. I have lights in all my tanks.
2007-07-20 10:31:51 · answer #2 · answered by Pete 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandmother used to own a pet shop, and we had lights with dimmers that we set on low to keep the fish occupied. I'd recommend buying a computer light with a dimmer as you can turn it down to save money, but still keep your fish happy.
Depending on the size of your tank (We had big tanks), you should buy some 'items' for inside it. Things they can swim through. It keeps them occupied.
Another thing is that they may not be used to having that much 'darkness', as some fish just aren't. They may just get bored and go down to the bottom to eat left over food, though.
Hope this helps.
2007-07-20 10:24:02 · answer #3 · answered by Taylor S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, no, my guppies don't have tank lighting and they are okay, but the more light the better. I find that my guppies become more activeful in the light. Light can also decrease the chance for a disease called "Rickets", a bend in the spine.
2007-07-20 12:13:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope, i have had a guppy in a fishbowl for one year without light or a heater. but your fish are probably depressed and bored without light i think you should turn off the light at 8pm
2007-07-20 10:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by br1an767 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋