Betta Fish and Light At Night
Betta fish are popularly kept in small tanks and other containers, and one common question amongst owners is if the fish need exposure to light at night.
Daylight Hours
The short answer is that betta fish should be exposed to both light and dark during a 24-hour period, just like any other creature with a circadian rhythm.
Light Intensity
What’s more important than having light on around the clock is the intensity of this light. Too much light can cause stress and reduce appetite, so it’s important employ a dimmer switch, or use only low intensity moonlight bulbs.
Dark Hours
During the dark hours, the light should be turned off for at least 6-8 hours, as this provides an important restful period for a betta fish. In the wild, betta fish are exposed to longer periods of darkness when the sun sets, and during certain times of the year may be exposed to almost complete darkness.
Nighttime Light
In some cases, some owners may want to use a low intensity light at night to provide a bit of reassurance for the fish, as darkness can be scary for some betta fish. Popular choices for light during these hours are blue LED lights, though these should only be used on a timer and never be left on all night.
Light Over Exposure
The key to providing a safe and healthy environment for a betta comes down to making sure they are both exposed to enough daylight, as well as provided with a suitable light/dark cycle afterwards. As such, it is important to never expose a betta fish to light for too long during a 24-hour period.
To sum up, betta fish need to be exposed to both light and dark during a 24-hour period in order to maintain their overall health and wellbeing. Owners should ensure they are provided with sufficient light during the day, and kept away from any intense lighting, while likewise not giving them any exposure to light during the dark hours. It is important to never over expose them to light, as this can cause unnecessary stress – making sure they receive a mix of both light and dark is the best way to go.