Debate time! Do fish need lights?

What say you? Do our saltwater fishes need light to thrive? To survive? To exist? Does it depend on the type of fish?

 

I cant speak for salt water, as some survive in total darkness. But my cichlids get only 1-3 hours of light a day, for the last 3 years, and they are fine, mind you we get a lot of natural light. I think some might need the vitamins the sun provides, but not all

 

why would you want a tank without lights? Alot of $ too drop to not see what you're spending it on!

 

Lol, that is true, but not the question. I would say that fish need light to keep their color up. I have not scientific backing on this, but IME I have noticed that my fish that have gone long periods of time without light don't have to much color left in them. Once the light is restored, they color back up in no time.

Now to survive, I have never had a fish die to a lack of light lol.

 

Well, putting it very basically physiological! Fish have colors for a reason!Without light, no reason for color! And they eat stuff that requires light! So could a fish be kept alive without light! Prob to a degree, but would you want to fight that battle and make a fish suffer to stay alive?

 

I would say the food issue is true in the wild, but not in our tanks. Most fish what we have do just fine on prepared foods. Others that depend on algae and pods to survive are difficult enough to keep anyways.

 

I guess my point is, why ask the question? No offense Nanareefer! But why think about somehting that there's no reason to think about? Why have a fishtank without being able to see it, or let the fish inside live a cool life? Now if its getting natural sunlight, that's a different question! As in are you happy only seeing your tank during normal daylight hours and are you happy dealing with the algae issue!lol

 

I still think you are missing the main question here. She was just asking the question to get other peoples opinions/thoughts on the subject. There is no harm in asking the question. Obviously we don't spend money on our fish and not want to see them.

I think this is a valid question to ask. There are ways to combat algae issues by doing a complete tank black out for 3 or 4 days at a time. Most noobs will ask if it is safe their fish.

Also, a lot people starting out don't have lights. They still cycle their tank and of course they want to add fish. So, they will be asking the same question.

So in essence, this could become a quick reference instead of always answering the same question over and over again. Just what I took from her question is all. No offense meant at all. ;D

 

True, but that's not what was asked!
'Do our saltwater fishes need light to thrive? To survive? To exist? Does it depend on the type of fish? '
Needing light and being able to survive for a few days without it are 2 completely different questions! no harm no foul!

 

True enough. I forgot about the title lol. Debate time. ;D