The betta fish is a popular breed of freshwater fish for pets. Due to their vivid colors and unique mannerisms, these lovely, exotic fish have gained popularity. However, despite the fact that they make lovely pets, many new owners are still determining whether they require light at night.
To give a quick answer to this inquiry, a betta fish may prefer to be in the dark at night.
Everything you need to know about whether or not betta fishes require a night light, their nighttime behaviors, and many more are included in this article.
Do Betta Need Light At Night?
“Does Betta Need Light at Night?” is a common topic that crosses peoples’ minds. Thus, you are in the proper place. While captive betta does not require a nighttime nap, wild betta does in their native habitat receive sunshine and moonlight. This means that your aquarium doesn’t require much light. Betta fish relax at night when it’s dark. Therefore, you should turn off all of your aquarium’s lights.
Although betta fish don’t have any specific daily light requirements, there is no minimal demand. The recommended amount of darkness every day for betta fish is 15 to 16 hours. The ideal darkness for them in the planted aquarium would be for 8 to 10 hours.
Betta learns the pattern of their light routine, including when to get up and when to go to bed in the dark. If you have an aquarium light in your tank, it is probably best to turn it on when you get up in the morning and turn it off before you go to bed.
Do Betta Fish Like Light?
A typical aquarium light is ideal, even though they won’t enjoy anything too intense. Bettas also like the company of aquarium plants, which require light to grow and survive.
Some of the suggestions from my side are:
MingDak LED Aquarium Plant Light is a good choice for the betta tank if you are looking to set up a LED aquarium light.
Why Not Utilize The Sun’s Natural Light Instead Of Artificial Lighting?
You might believe that the best way to solve your lighting problem is to put your betta’s tank on a windowsill or another location where it will receive enough direct light.
Sadly, that is not a wise move.
This is why.
Algae Bloom
An algal bloom will be aided if your betta’s tank receives too much direct sunlight.
Although algae are not harmful to your fish, the green slime will quickly cover the glass, obscuring your view of your aquarium and making the entire area look untidy. Additionally, decorations, the substrate, your filter system, and even your live plants are all covered in algae.
Aquatic organisms called algae produce their own food by using photosynthesis. Although algae are an annoyance, these organisms do have some advantages in that they eliminate toxic elements from the water in your fish tank, like nitrates.
As part of their regular diet, all fish species, including bettas, consume algae.
Snails and Amano shrimp, which are both good tank mates for bettas, are two algae eaters that can be kept in the tank to control the growth of algae.
Temperature Shock
Bettas are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, and if the water in their tank gets too cold or too hot, they risk going into shock.
If your betta tank is located in an area where the sun shines on it continuously, the temperature may quickly rise to an unhealthy level, which will undoubtedly stress your fish and may possibly result in its death.
Is Your Betta At Risk From Both Too Much And Too Little Light?
You may be wondering what would happen if your betta fish were to receive too much or too little light now that you are aware that they require both light and darkness to survive. There are a few potential outcomes, I assume.
Too Much Light
There are a few issues that could develop if your betta is subjected to excessive artificial light.
A betta may become overstimulated if he receives too much light to start. The short naps that bettas do take during the day are due to overstimulation, which keeps your fish active for a longer amount of time. The betta may experience stress as a result of this, which can impair their health and make them more susceptible to illness or parasite attack.
Your betta may stop eating if there is too much light, too. The stress of overstimulation frequently results in a low appetite in bettas, which are finicky eaters and can be very particular.
Bear in mind that betta fish have routines and eat during the day and sleep at night. If your betta is kept in an environment with constant light, its body clock won’t know when it’s time to eat, and it might stop eating completely.
Not Enough Light
How does your betta fish suffer if you deprive it of light?
You should have lights in your betta fish tank, just like you should have a heater and filtration system. Your betta fish can lose part of his stunning, vivid colors if he is kept in extremely dark or dull settings.
Additionally, spawning is significantly less likely to occur in a tank that is quite dark if you want your betta fish to produce offspring.
Things To Remember If You Use An Artificial Light For Betta Fish
For your betta fish tank, you won’t need a light that is very strong. According to an outdated maxim, fluorescent lights should have a wattage of 1.5 to 3 watts per gallon, while LED lights should be no more than 1 watt per gallon. Your best approach, though, is to visit your nearest pet store and get the help of an experienced employee if you’re unsure.
The first rule of thumb when selecting an artificial light is to pick one that won’t change the temperature of your tank. Betta fish require a temperature of roughly 74 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, much higher, and you run the danger of overheating your fish and possibly killing them.
Since incandescent bulbs are so inefficient and practically produce more heat than light, it’s not a good idea to use them. Small tanks, which readily heat up, are particularly vulnerable to them.
If at all possible, pick LED lighting. LEDs are the ideal option because they closely resemble natural sunlight, don’t promote the formation of algae, use very little energy (and are, therefore, inexpensive to run), and best display the colors of your fish.
If LEDs aren’t an option for you, fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs are a decent backup option. At the time of this writing, they are also the most widely utilized in fish ponds.
Caution While Placing Lights In Betta Tank
One thing needs to be kept in mind when artificial lighting has been placed. Your aquarium could occasionally reflect back on itself if it is exposed to artificial light. Your betta fish can start acting aggressively as a result, believing that its territory is being threatened. You may need to purchase a weaker light or find a better solution to prevent the reflection if you observe your betta fish acting aggressively. Some ideas include:
- Turning on your aquarium light only when the room has been lit. The probability that your betta fish will notice himself is highest when the tank light is on but the room light is off.
- You might also try introducing the light to him gradually. Turn it on for a few hours each day, then gradually raise it until it is up to 8–12 hours per day and it is not displaying any violent behaviors.
- To help darken your tank, you can also try putting aquarium paper on the outside.
It is found that placing a bushy plant in front of the glass frequently resolves the issue if there is a specific spot in the tank where your fish flares or displays aggression.
Do Betta Fish Need Full Dark To Sleep?
Even though fish don’t necessarily require total darkness to sleep, it’s preferable to give them access to the same level of darkness as they would find in their natural habitat. It will be better for their overall health and sleep quality if they sleep in the dark. The likelihood is that they are receiving too much light if you cannot see them at night. They most likely require more light than you are providing them if they can see you.
Can Betta Fish See In The Dark?
The ability of betta fish to see in the dark while the lights are out may be something you’ve wondered about. The betta fish utilizes what is known as its lateral line, which is its “sixth sense.”
Lateral Line – Your Betta Fish’s “Sixth Sense”
If you examine your betta very closely, you will see that the scales that run along its sides have a number of tiny holes in them. These little holes are known as lateral lines.
The betta can detect motion, vibrations, and changes in water pressure due to its “lateral line.”
In particular, if the object is moving, the fish uses that information to estimate the size of an object in the water close to them. Following that, the betta’s brain analyzes the information to choose whether to run away from a dangerous attacker or take preventive action to avoid colliding with something.
Therefore, despite the fact that your betta fish cannot technically “see” in the dark. It uses its incredible sixth sense to stay out of trouble and avoid running into the tank walls and other objects in its habitat.
How Many Watts Are Necessary For Your Betta Tank Size?
You don’t actually need to figure out watts per gallon, despite what the general consensus might suggest. Most at-home aquarium specialists view this measurement technique as outdated. If you’d rather have a general rule, 1 watt or less is normally required per gallon for LEDs. 1.5–3 watts for fluorescent lights.
Unless you have a big tank or live plants that need a lot of light, you shouldn’t worry too much about buying more than one tank light or buying one that’s enormous. This is true for both LED and fluorescent bulbs, which may produce a significant quantity of light per single bulb. But since the ideal betta fish tanks are in the 5 to 10-gallon size range, strong illumination is almost never required.
After you’ve put in your new aquarium light, if you have a male betta, keep an eye out for any indications of “strange” behavior. If you observe him becoming aggressive, it may be because the tank light you’ve chosen is reflecting too much and transforming the aquarium’s walls to resemble mirrors, leading him to believe there is a rival fish in the tank.
Can Betta Sleep With The Lights On?
No, humans can sleep better in the dark than any fish species or other animals can during the course of 24 hours. You must give your betta a set amount of darkness during the night. This will ensure that they get the necessary amount of sleep, are composed, and are not afraid.
A fine, calm betta is a healthy, content betta fish. In all seriousness, your betta is in danger if the aquarium light is left on all day, every day. They require sound sleep as well, and as they lack blepharon, they are unable to escape the light if you refuse to give it to them.
Try to imitate the natural residents as closely as you can, including their eating habits and sleep pattern, as well as the aquatic environment (aquatic plants, boulders, and stones). The light must be on nightly for betta fish to sleep.
Because most species lack blepharons, they are unable to close their eyes while sleeping or resting. As a result, you should limit the time the aquarium lights are on and dim the lights when the tank is empty at night. Your pet betta will always be aware of the appropriate times for activity, rest, and feeding if you do it this way.
Do Betta Fish Enjoy Lighting That Changes Colors? Are Fish Bothered by Changing Colors?
Betta fish love soft, shifting lighting since they don’t like it when it’s too bright or harsh. The ideal aquarium light for a betta is a standard aquarium light; they don’t appreciate anything too intense.
White or natural light is preferable to betta fish. The betta fish’s color is actually altered by the white light. There are various sorts of betta fish lights available if you want to try to encourage your betta fish to emit more light.
There are lasers for fish. Colored lights and other unusual types of light-emitting filters. LED, or colorful color-changing light, is becoming more and more available and adaptable in our daily lives. Yes, too much light can be as harmful as too little.
Because of this, make sure your aquarium has a light intensity that is appropriate for it and leaves the aquarium’s color-changing light on for most of the 8 hours each day.
Blue neon lights are the least likely to stress your betta, so use them to enhance their color. There are many different colors and nearly no heat produced by LED lights. Flashing or changing-color lights resemble disturbance, which worries fish and makes them hide.
Betta Fish Natural Habitat
Bettas inhabit ponds and rice fields in their natural habitat. They favor calm, vegetated places with still water that are shaded by objects or structures, such as hanging tree branches.
Bettas are most active in the morning and evening when they hunt for insects drawn by light to the surface of their habitat.
Bettas often snooze close to a plant or any other object that offers cover from the sun and protection from predators. Especially when they’re sleeping at night. This is why having live plants in your betta fish tank is so crucial.
Therefore, if you want your betta fish to be content in its habitat, keep it dark at night. Your betta fish will like it!
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQ
Do Betta Fish Enjoy Being In the Dark?
Answer:Yes! Bettas enjoy the nighttime in absolute darkness.
Do betta fish sleep the same as humans?
Answer:Yes, bettas sleep in a manner similar to that of humans. At night, when it is dark, they sleep.
Does turning off the lights make my betta fish lonely?
Answer:No, turning off the lights won’t harm your bettas in any way. You can keep two female betta fish together if you’re concerned that your betta will be lonely.
Are betta fish nocturnal creatures?
Answer:Not at all. Betta fish are diurnal. Bettas actually live a day and nightlife. The dark hours of the night are when they sleep because they are most active during the day. Being asleep while your betta slept may have prevented you from noticing this.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bettas require total darkness for sleep at night. Remember to switch off the lights every night if you want your betta fish to live a happy and healthy life.
However, your betta fish needs relaxation just as much as you do. I know it’s fantastic to be able to watch our bettas in an LED-lit tank.
That will make your betta friend a happy, healthy fish who will live a long time.