How long do fish need to sleep?

[HarrisonMG]

I get up at 6 and go to bed around 11; I've gotta feed my fish when I get up, and again when I return. The tank lights are on at 6, off when I'm gone, and on again til I go to bed.
Is it ok to keep my fish awake for 17 hours a day?

My fish are clowns, basslet, cardinals, flame angel, flasher wrasse, Midas blenny, and firefish.

Thanks!

 

[RioReefr]

Are you Amish or anti-technology?? These days, there are so many options available to turn things on/off automatically or even via an Android/iPhone app.

https://www.amazon.com/Century-Heavy-Digital-Programmable-Timer/dp/B00MVF16JG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1535805666&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=timer+outlet&psc=1

I control most of my tank remotely: Apex Jr, AI Prime, Aqamai wavemaker, etc. But, for literally 10 bucks you could get yourself a timer control. There are Wifi A/C outlets for like 20 buck you can control with your phone.

As for sleep, my clowns "sleep" even with the living rooms light are on. So does my Orchid Dottyback who literally disappears when there is not intense light..usually around 7-8pm. I never see my Tang sleep, never see my Hawkfish sleep.

My understanding is fish don't sleep like we know it...they slow their metabolism and just swim slower. Its not like they can close their eyes. LOL

Too much light is going to lead to just more algae growth and not letting your corals "breathe". Other people would know better, but I think it would be ok if the tank was dark for just 7 hours.

 

[HarrisonMG]

Thanks. Um--no I'm not Amish and I love technology. Not sure where you got that assumption from? I have a 6 bulb t5 with led that has 3 controlled zones so the strong lights are on only when I'm home or need the fish--all of my fish go into a rock or swim slowly in a corner like you said when the lights go out, so if I feed in the mornings (sometimes two hours before the sun even comes up) I need the light on or the food doesn't get eaten.

Maybe I just feel bad shining blinding lights on my fish to make them eat food before the crack of dawn lol I

 

[Dan_P]

Maybe I just feel bad shining blinding lights on my fish to make them eat food before the crack of dawn lol I

Yeah, me too Also, I avoid doing things to startle my fish. I am a softie.

Maybe Google the question about the sleeping habits and needs of reef fish.

 

[ATLJonathan]

Are you Amish or anti-technology?? These days, there are so many options available to turn things on/off automatically or even via an Android/iPhone app.



https://www.amazon.com/Century-Heav...5666&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=timer+outlet&psc=1



I control most of my tank remotely: Apex Jr, AI Prime, Aqamai wavemaker, etc. But, for literally 10 bucks you could get yourself a timer control. There are Wifi A/C outlets for like 20 buck you can control with your phone.



As for sleep, my clowns "sleep" even with the living rooms light are on. So does my Orchid Dottyback who literally disappears when there is not intense light..usually around 7-8pm. I never see my Tang sleep, never see my Hawkfish sleep.



My understanding is fish don't sleep like we know it...they slow their metabolism and just swim slower. Its not like they can close their eyes. LOL



Too much light is going to lead to just more algae growth and not letting your corals "breathe". Other people would know better, but I think it would be ok if the tank was dark for just 7 hours.

My fish sleep like rocks, sideways, eyes shut, 730 gallons 100 Fish, sound sleepers.

 

[ATLJonathan]

Full spectrum only 10am-3pm, blues at night until midnight, ramp up Radions slowly at 6am.

 

[outssider]

why don't you feed when you come home from work when the lights are on.

 

[HarrisonMG]

I do but I feed twice to thrice a day. Morning, evening, night.


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[Uncle99]

I think 17 hour photoperiod is just to long. You have algae?
Many run 9 to 11..

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

My fish sleep like rocks, sideways, eyes shut, 730 gallons 100 Fish, sound sleepers.

Side conversation, I'd love to see your tank.

 

[Lsufan]

If u don’t have algea issues then I don’t see why it would be a problem. Algea & bulb usage would be more of a issue then the fish. I would think running the bulbs 17 hrs a day u would need to replace them atleast every 6 months.

 

[HarrisonMG]

Sorry if I didn't make it clear enough; the bulbs are only on about 6 hrs a day, when it is dark outside. The room gets a lot of ambient light during the day (when I am not home) and the lights are not on.

The original question was simply, am I not letting my fish get enough shuteye?

I have a little algae, but only because it's a somewhat new tank (6 mo). Small patches of cyano and some strange green algae (like the slime that grows on glass) which makes a bunch of little bubbles--not Dinos, I checked.

 

[Tripod1404]

I feed in the mornings without lights. I just turn on the lights of the room the tank is in and feed the fish 15mins later. Mine also didn't came out at first, but they got used to it eventually. The only fish that can't get food in the mornings are leopard wrasses that remain under the sand.


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[tkeracer619]

Auto feeder with pellets for daytime feeding. Hand feed frozen at night.

I'd let them sleep in, less grouchy.

In the wild, fish are out early to eat. Best time to see them is at dawn.