danios go crazy at lights out!

[Chris Drake]

Anyone else experience this with their fish? I'm sure theres nothing wrong, just the shock of suddenly being plunged into darkness and waiting for eyes to adjust.

[Timmain42]

If you put your lights on a timer, this will happen less. Once the fish become adjusted to a clockwork schedule (one that doesn't rely on error-prone humans), they'll have more peace of mind.

[travelinman1969]

I've had mine for a couple months and on a timer, and they still go crazy. I think it's kinda funny. Don't think there is much you can do other than a dimmer. They are skitish fish to begin with.

[Chris Drake]

I only got a timer for my lights just over a week ago, so they may get used to it. It is kind of funny but then I feel bad for laughing ;)

[racingjason]

My neons used to do that even though they have had a set schedule since day one. I installed a moonlight that turns on 5 min before the lights go out. They don't even move when the main lights go out, and they are basically sleeping when the moon light goes out.

[Chris Drake]

How long do you keep the moonlight on for? Does it come on in the morning too?

[racingjason]

How long do you keep the moonlight on for? Does it come on in the morning too?

Moonlight is on for 3 hours at night, it is on a different timer so it comes on 8:45pm each night, goes off at midnight, on at 8am off at 9:05. I have an electronic timer that can do a whole load of diff programs.

[WinterWind]

Leave the room lights on before you turn off the fish lights. The change will be more gradual. Or you can use a lamp or small light in front of the tank and turn off the fish light but leave on the lamp. That's what I do. The transition from light to darkness will be more smooth.