Butters76

I have 9 Cardinals, but I have seen they are blind as bats when lights out. When I put the lights out, I can open the door and let light from the livingroom come into the fishtank room. What I see is the Cardinals losing formation and getting lost from each other. They are no more than 2 together 30 secs after lights out. And they seem to freak out when losing track of their friends.

I put my face into a towel for 30 sec, to adjust my eyes to no light. Then I can see much better through the dark waters.

I have 2x 40W lights with 3 settings each. Maybe I should keep one of them at setting 1 at night, so the Cardinals won't get lost?

I usually go
morning: 1-0 , 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3 and the other way around to put the lights out in the evening.

Fish Addict

I think that it should be fine without having to do that...
While it may be a little dark, they're fine, and they should settle down. My B. Neons did the same thing the month after I got em, they'd freak out whenever I turned the lights off... I think they'll overcome it...

Nate McFin

Funny mine did the same thing. I now have a lunar light on for an hour or 2 before the lights are completely off. It seems to help the shock. They also have an interesting behavior of shifting in formation when the lights go off. They all get in a tight group, then one moves from the back to the front. the one from the front to the middle, one from the back to the front and so forth all while facing the same direction at all times. I am not sure if it is something they do to confuse predators in the wild or what but its fun to watch.

11yancazosj

they should be fine without the light. You cloud say that they still familiarising themselves with there surroundings. my suggestion is to limit the amount of tank ornaments you have until they seem relaxed.

try to make the light as dim as possible. Otherwise the fish may develop fatigue related symptoms.

Lucy

IMO, taking out hiding places will result in very nervous and stressed fish. They need places to go to feel more secure. Once they feel more secure in their surroundings they will probably come out more and explore.

11yancazosj

did i say limit. what i meant was to not add any more tank ornaments

soz