Fish Sensitivity to Light

[crb1701]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone experienced their fish hiding from overbright lights?

I have a goldfish tank and a minnow tank. My minnow tank had a 10W screw-in fluorescent bulb I purchased from WalMart. When I switched it one at feeding time, some of the minnows would sit on the bottom of the the tank and not eat. I suspected the light was too bright, so I replaced the bulb with 15W incandescent bulb, and all is well.

My goldfish tank, however, has the longer fluorescent bulb and when it's on, my goldfish just hide behind the rocks. The second I switch it off, they make their way into view. How can you lessen the light output with a long fluorescent bulb since there is no incandescent twin?

Any hints/tricks would help. Thanks,

Curt

[KcEE]

Hmm...do you keep the lights on during the day? Fish usually get used to the light after some time. Most of us usually keep our lights on for up to 10 - 12 hrs maximum instead of switching it on/off when viewing/feeding.

[Ty]

maby put something infront of it or get a tube with a lower wattage rating.

[Dave66]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone experienced their fish hiding from overbright lights?

I have a goldfish tank and a minnow tank. My minnow tank had a 10W screw-in fluorescent bulb I purchased from WalMart. When I switched it one at feeding time, some of the minnows would sit on the bottom of the the tank and not eat. I suspected the light was too bright, so I replaced the bulb with 15W incandescent bulb, and all is well.

My goldfish tank, however, has the longer fluorescent bulb and when it's on, my goldfish just hide behind the rocks. The second I switch it off, they make their way into view. How can you lessen the light output with a long fluorescent bulb since there is no incandescent twin?

Any hints/tricks would help. Thanks,

Curt

Curt,
To a goldfish; many fish actually; being in 'the light' means they are vulnerable to predation by birds and whatnot. That's why they hide. If you dropped in some floating plants, even fake ones, they'll come out front again.

Dave

[crb1701]

Yes, for the goldfish, I keep them on for the plants.

For the minnows, only when I was feeding them or "showing them off." But a few of them found the fluorescent light oppressive.