Do Guppies Need Aquarium Lights

Arguably, one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish that are currently available to us at the moment is the guppy, as they are so easy to care for and have extremely calm natures, and also brightly colored fins, a beauty surely to appeal to all kinds of aquarium enthusiasts, young or old.

One thing that most people who have had a new set of Guppies are most likely wondering is whether or not their guppies will require aquarium lights. The answer is yes, and here is how. Guppies may not necessarily require lights for growth in the same way as plants. A decent light will be needed in order to create a behavioral rhythm for the guppies, and in order to get their colors really popping, and in order to get a good overall aquarium setup.

In this guide, we will explore the reasons guppies benefit from aquarium lights, as well as design a proper lighting cycle.

Why Guppies Need Light

In the wild, the guppy is subjected to predictable daily changes between day and night light levels. These daily cycles help the animal regulate activity, feeding times, rest periods, and mating cycles.
These same light cycles would be beneficial to the guppy in captivity. Lighting can:

• Create a predictable, natural biological rhythm
• Promote active swimming and feeding
• Improve coloring and appearance
• Aid live plants in a planted aquarium
• Create an attractive display

Without proper lighting cycles, guppies can become stressed and behave erratically.

Can Guppies Survive Without Aquarium Lights?

Theoretically yes. If the aquarium receives enough natural light from the room it’s in, or an adjacent window, your guppies may live without a separate aquarium light.

But it’s one thing to live, another thing to be at your best, and without appropriate light, your guppies are the latter.

• Dull colors may be observed
• There may not be a predictable routine
• Live plants will do poorly
• You will have more trouble viewing your tank

This is why even the most basic of guppy setups has an aquarium LED light.

How Many Hours of Light Do Guppies Need?

A normal guppy aquarium will need to be lit for 8-10 hours each day, which is about the length of time that the sun will usually shine for. The length that is provided by the light should be enough for a healthy aquarium, and will not cause the algae growth in the tank to become too much.

A typical schedule might be:

Time	Apgaismojums
8:00 AM	Lights On
6:00 PM	Lights Off

 

Using a timer is highly recommended because consistency is more important than intensity.

Can Guppies Sleep With the Lights On?

No, similarly to most other fish, guppies need to have time without the light to get proper rest.
Fish don’t exactly sleep the same way humans do, but during nighttime, guppies go through a rest period. At this time, they tend to:

• Swim less
• Stay near decorations or plants
• Respond slower
• Decrease their movement quite a lot

It’s not good for them long-term to have their aquarium lights on all day, every day, as it can cause stress. It is generally best to provide about 8 hours of dark time per day.

What Type of Light Is Best for Guppies?

LED Aquarium Lights

Today, LED lights for aquariums are the most common choice for a guppy tank.
Some advantages of LED lights include:

• Energy efficient
• Produce little heat
• Last a long time
• Variable light intensity
• Bring out the coloration of the fish

Generally, a full-spectrum LED light  will provide the most natural look and bring out the red, blue, yellow, and orange coloration of the guppy fish.

Natural Sunlight

Certain hobbyists choose to position tanks by windows in an attempt to take advantage of natural light.
Though this may sometimes work, direct sunlight can lead to:

• Algae blooms
• Fluctuations in water temperature
• Overheating

Safe light comes from indirect room lighting, rather than from directly facing the sun.

Do Guppies Prefer Bright or Dim Lighting?

Guppies do well in average light conditions.
Really bright lighting can cause guppies to look a little worried in a bare aquarium.
To make your guppies feel safe, include some of the following in their aquarium:

• Live plants
• Floating plants
• Driftwood
• caves

These all create shadowy regions where your guppies can swim if they feel nervous.

Lighting Considerations for Planted Guppy Tanks

Most guppy keepers also keep live plants. In planted aquariums ,  the lighting is kept doing two things:

1. Foster plant growth
2. Promote healthy fish keeping

Low-light plants such as:

• Java Fern
• Anubias
• Java Moss

generally thrive with 8-10 hours of medium to low LED lighting.

High-light plants require more lighting, and therefore, it needs to be handled carefully so as not to promote a high level of algae bloom.

Signs Your Guppy Tank Has Too Much Light

High levels of lighting usually result in:

• Green water
• Algae-covered glass
• Overgrown algae on decorations
• More retiring fish
  If you notice these symptoms, reduce the photoperiod for an hour or two a day.

Signs Your Guppy Tank Has Too Little Light

Under lighting can also lead to:

• Difficult to see in the aquarium
• Lacklustre colouration of fish
• Slow plant growth
• Poor plant condition

Usually, an increase to about 8-10 hours of light a day will solve this.

Pēdējās domas

So, do guppies need aquarium lights?
Guppies can exist without a light over the tank, but tend to thrive a great deal better if provided with a light, with day and night lighting in the aquarium.
For most aquariums, an 8-10 hour use of a good LED light would be optimal for the health of your fish, the health of your plants, and limiting the growth of algae.
Giving your guppies light would be beneficial in both visual appearance and health.