Do Fish sleep better....

or at least rest better with the lights off as oppose to lunar lights?

 

I noticed mine hide in the rockwork either way, so I doubt it makes any difference at all to them.

 

I think it depends on the lights, but likely if the lights are too bright, they could interfere with circadian rhythms for example. There is theoretical as well as anecdotal evidence for this as people have noted such things as reduced feeder tentacle extension in LPS corals when using abnormally bright moonlights. If the light is dim enough, it shouldn't matter though.

 

I use the lunar lights for about 6 hours and then everything goes out for 4 hours. I can see a lot less movement from my fish once everything is out. they seem to settle in and stay put once they go out completely....don't know if this is an answer to your question, but this is what I do and what I've observed.

 

It's very nice having someone like you with scientific training around. You add a LOT to 3Reef so thank you very much.

You might not be a marine biologist. However, much of this hobby is people sharing what they do and why they do it based on what they've observed. The government isn't exactly putting out grants for marine biologists to study the effect of moonlights on aquariums.

 

Thanks, happy to help :thumb_up:

There is a lot of government money spent studying chronobiology though, especially through the DOD, as soldiers tend not to get enough sleep. Actually, it wasn't my primary research as an undergrad, but I did spend sometime on the side working with a DOD funded group chronobiology group. It is a a surprisingly well established field, although it dosn't get much attention.

 

Thanks for the great info. I do tend to notice they are less active when the lights are turned all the way off.