Are fish OK in total darkness?

Fish don't necessarily need complete darkness to sleep, but it's best to provide them with the amount of darkness they would have in their natural environment. They may sleep when tired if the lights are on, but it will be better for their sleep and overall health if they can rest in darkness.
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Can fish be in total darkness?

Aquarium fish can rest at anytime, not only at night when it's dark. Hence, the other reason fish need the said period of darkness is to simulate the diurnal-cycle, which all living things including animals are adapted to.
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Is it OK to keep fish in the dark at night?

Aquarium fish do not need light and it is best that you turn it off during the night. Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is no, do not leave your lights on.
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What happens if a fish is in the dark?

If you keep your fish in the dark all the time, the chromatophores won't produce more pigment, so the fish's color will start to fade as the chromatophores that already have color naturally die, while the new cells aren't stimulated to produce pigment.
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Do aquarium fish like darkness?

Fish don't like the dark because when there is no light to see, they dart around the tank, colliding with the walls, ornaments and can even become tangled in the plants. Fish need light to determine whether it is night or day, and they're scared of the sudden switch from darkness to light.
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Do Aquarium Fish Need Light At Night (Probably Not What You Think)



How many hours of darkness do fish need?

Fish Lighting Requirements

Before determining how much light to give your fish each day, check the care requirements for your individual species, as needs vary slightly. However, most fish require around 12 hours of light a day.
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Do fish tanks need lights?

Unlike plants, fish do not have a biological need for light, so they require less. Natural sunlight at noon has a rating of 5500 Kelvin. How long should I keep my aquarium lights on? To provide animals and plants the lighting they need, 10 to 12 hours a day is sufficient.
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Do Fishes need light at night?

The short answer is No – you SHOULD NOT leave the aquarium light on overnight. Fish require both light and darkness to survive. Like most other animals, fish need darkness to rest. The fact that they lack eyelids makes them require a sufficiently dark environment for them to get in any kind of sleep or rest.
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Can fish sleep with black light?

Black lights should not be used to heat or illuminate a fish tank. Fish need aquarium lighting that's designed to provide the natural lighting they would receive in the wild. Because black lights are ultraviolet, it's only safe to use them in small doses.
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Can fish sleep with room light on?

They should be fine...a nightlight or two won't keep them up. I have my tank in the TV room and we will watch movies until 2am sometimes. The tank lights go off at 10pm and I can tell that the fish are sleeping.
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Can fish see in dark fishing?

Their eyes have rod and cone cells on their retinas, so we know that they can see color as well as in shades of grey, light and dark. All fish have some level of night vision, although some species like walleyes are much better than others at seeing in the dark.
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Do fish like blue light at night?

No, you should not keep a blue light or any other colored light on in your fish tank through the night. Unless you have nocturnal fish, they depend on light cycles to maintain their sleep cycle. Leaving a light on at night will disturb this cycle and result in sleep-deprived and stressed fish.
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Should you cover fish tank at night?

Should You Cover Your Fish Tank at Night. If you have fishes that jump, it is recommended that you cover your tank, not just at night but also during the day. This is more crucial if you have species that love to hang around the surface of the water.
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Can I leave the moonlights on all night?

Moonlights are meaningless to the fish - they are only for you. If you intend to be up all night looking at the tank, then leave them on.
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What color light is best for aquarium fish?

Blue diodes and fixtures that blend blue and white lights are ideal for reef tanks and enhancing the colors in your corals. Actinic lights emit a deep blue color in the 420nm spectrum and create the appearance of the moonlight shining through the water.
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What is the blue light in a fish tank for?

Blue light is frequently used in aquariums to mark the days and nights out for the fish or for fishkeepers to get a clear view of their tank. Blue light is harmful to fish if it is incorrectly used. However, most fishkeepers use blue lighting in their tanks with no ill effects.
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Are LED lights good for fish?

Fish are not as reliant on light as plants. In general, aquarium owners can use incandescent, fluorescent, or LED lights for fish but should be aware of the heat issues that incandescent lights cause.
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Should I turn off the bubbles in my fish tank at night?

Generally, fish should be able to sleep without being bothered by bubbles or water agitation created by air pumps. Besides, if you want, you can turn off your air pump at night, but make sure the filter continues to run, so it fulfills the required aeration in the aquarium.
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Can I leave my aquarium light on 24 7?

Can I leave my aquarium light on 24/7? You should never keep your aquarium lights on for 24/7. There are are several reasons you should not do so but the most important is it will cause algae growth in your tank. And you can spend literally weeks if not months to clean out algae from your aquarium.
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How bright should aquarium lights be?

Most freshwater aquarium lights are rated between 5,500 and 8,000 Kelvin. Intensity and spectrum are less important in aquariums or with artificial plants, although some lights enhance natural colors better than others. A light that's too intense may promote algae, especially in non-planted tanks.
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How much light do fish need a day?

In general, most aquariums require eight to 12 hours of light each day (10 hours is a good starting point), provided by aquarium lights.
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Do fish like aquarium lights?

Yes, aquarium fish need light to determine whether it's day or night. However, the natural light in your room is sufficient. Fish do not necessarily need an extra aquarium light. An aquarium light is to see your fish, and for live aquatic plant photosynthesis.
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Do fish love you?

We all know love is the strongest emotion and can cause use it to do good and bad things. Well, if fish have emotions then they must feel love. Love for their tank mates, love for their companions and possible love for their owners. This would make a lot of sense.
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Can fish in an aquarium see you?

Studies have found that fish see objects placed outside their tank. But can they recognize their owners? Anecdotal evidence, and one study done on archerfish, suggests they can, Balcombe notes.
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Can you completely cover a fish tank?

Yes, a fish tank can be covered completely. As long as the fish tank is not sealed completely with a cover and the air can get inside the fish tank, the tank ecosystem can thrive without any issue.
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