Loaches don't seem to like the light

bettaman

bettaman

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Nov 27, 2002
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I just installed a new Power-Glo 18,000K light on my tank and I noticed that when the light goes off all the loaches come out!!! Before I installed the light my loaches were very active throughout the day. Now it seems shortly after the light comes on, all three loaches go into the same small hole to hide, even though there are other places to hide, LOL.

I have the light on a timer for about 10 hours a day. Should I switch to a different type of light? Or is this just a transition the fish need to make and will eventually get used to the light?
 
Most bottom feeders like loaches and catfish are by nature noctural. My guess is that they may get used to it, but you will never see the amount of activity that you see at night. My cories go into what I call "stand by" mode during the day, but go nuts at night.
 
I have 18000k and mine is fine. I jsut was reading over this site loaches.com and they sugessted that they don't like changes of any kind, that is what I'd say it is.they aren't necessarily nocturnal, just shy. Anyway, you should check out the site, it has a lot of good info.

Lisa
 
18000K refers to the color temperature of the light (whether it looks more redish or blueish). The watts are what measure the output of the light. What did you have in it before? (Past the advice I just gave, I am out of my element)
 
Well........I didn't have a light on the tank before. I know, I know :duh:


So if 18000K is a color reference, if tank lights are anything light HID lights...LOL, then a 4000k light should be much brighter and closer to the suns output, because this light is bluuueeee.


It must be the change in the environment as FisheyLisa suggested, they've been in the tank for a while without a light.
 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping a tank without a light on it. I would guess that a huge percentage of the fish we keep come from water depths that have very little light. Give them some time, they'll adjust.
 
you could try putting some floating plants under the light to help block out some of it it mite help them get used to it
 
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