Is Light Bad for Goldfish?

Goldfish are freshwater fish ,and with proper care they can live up to 20 years. One aspect of care that is important for goldfish's health is lighting. Light is not bad for them. On the contrary, allowing your goldfish adequate hours of light and darkness will give your fish sufficient rest, keep it healthy and prevent growth of algae in the tank.

  1. Body Coloration

    • Light has an effect on the pigment present in the scales of the goldfish. Providing your goldfish with the adequate lighting will ensure that its color develops to the maximum. The color of the body of a goldfish is dependent on genes, and when the right amount of light is present, the genes responsible for body coloration are expressed. At times, you may notice the color of your goldfish changing because of this, as long as you provide it adequate lighting.

    Tank Temperature

    • Avoid exposing your goldfish to direct sunlight, as it will overheat the water in the tank. Goldfish live in cold water, and it is important to maintain the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the fish healthy. Tank temperature can also rise due to improper lighting. It is better to use fluorescent lighting instead of incandescent lighting, as it tends to heat water less.

    Rest

    • As goldfish have no eyelids, they cannot close their eyes when sleeping. Hence, they cannot screen out light at nights when they want to sleep. It is recommended that you switch off the light for 12 hours in your goldfish tank so that the fish can get adequate rest and sleep. At the same time, it is necessary to provide 12 hours of light for optimal growth and health. Use a light with timer to ensure that your goldfish gets the right number of hours of light and darkness daily.

    Health

    • Goldfish produce a lot of waste through their gills and feces. When the tank is exposed to direct sunlight, it provides an ideal environment for algae to thrive. This creates an unhealthy living condition for the goldfish and can be unhealthy for the fish. At times, due to too many algae in the water, nitrate levels increase significantly, and this is fatal for goldfish. Furthermore, goldfish are extremely sensitive to sudden alterations in light, as they have no eyelids. To protect your goldfish, it is advisable to place a hood on the goldfish tank, so that the fish is not exposed to sudden changes in light.