What Could Happen if You Don’t Let Your Fish Have Any Light?

Advances in diving and submarine technologies have allowed marine biologists to explore some of the deepest points of the sea, and the species they’ve been able to research and classify range from the fascinating to the horrifying. Deep sea species swim, feed, mate, and reproduce in a habitat of complete darkness. However, they’re quite different than the tropical species we keep in freshwater aquariums and reef tanks, and their sleep cycles don’t correspond with periods of light. All aquarium species, including plants and invertebrates, need to synchronize their rest and sleep cycles with the movement of the Earth around the sun. Even if they live in tanks that aren’t reached by sunlight, they’ll still need at least eight hours of illumination each day. In the absence of light, here are a few things that could happen in the aquarium.

Your Fish Will Turn White

This may sound like an urban legend, but it’s true: many types of tropical fish will lose their attractive coloring if they’re forced to live in darkness. To say they’ll turn completely white like a polar bear is an exaggeration, but researchers have determined the pigmentation cells known as chromatophores stop working when they’re not stimulated by light and ultraviolet radiation. It should be noted that the attractive colors of tropical fish are also produced by nutrients, which is why they’ll never turn completely white. Plus—in nature, the brighter the fish the more it stands out to predators, so fish adapt to areas of less light naturally.

Some Species Will Be Very Confused

Aquarium fish and invertebrates can be classified by the time of day in which they choose to be more active. Not all tropical fish are diurnal. Plecostomus, Corydoras, and most other species related to catfish are nocturnal, which means they wait until dark to carry out most of their activity. Keeping nocturnal fish, shrimp, and other species in perpetual darkness will make them hyperactive for longer periods, and this could cause stress.

Your Aquarium Plants Will Die

If your tank doesn’t get sunlight, plants will be unable to trigger the photosynthesis process that’s necessary for their survival. Tanks located in places where sunlight doesn’t reach them either directly or indirectly will need to be equipped with aquarium lamps, particularly the kind that provide some UV radiation, to allow plants to grow and reproduce. Without illumination, algae won’t be able to bloom, but this is hardly a benefit since spores can lay dormant and become active once as soon as any light shines on the tank.

Aquarium Lighting Systems

Lighting is one of the most crucial saltwater and freshwater aquarium supplies. To ensure your diurnal, crepuscular, and nocturnal species get the illumination cycles they need, you should look into LED lighting systems with built-in timers. Some lamps even feature blue LED lights that simulate moonlight. This is beneficial to nocturnal species, and it provides a nice visual effect when the rest of the lights are turned off.

If you need high-quality lighting for your aquarium, reach out to Aquatic Warehouse. We also carry all of the other supplies you’ll need to properly maintain your tank, whether you need an aquarium temperature controller, filtration, testing kits, or nutritious fish food. Stope by our store in Kearny Mesa, take a look at what we have to offer on our website, or give us a call at 858-467-9297 if you have any questions.