Lighting for blind cave fish tank?

Blinky

Blinky

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Jun 22, 2004
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I'm thinking of setting up a small tank for a couple blind cave tetras - I'd like to make it a biotope with rocks up the back and two sides, and a gravel bottom. This is assuming I can find any blind cave tetras - last time I tried I couldn't find any.
I've been researching online and can't find much specific information about what their habitat looks like (other than a hole in a rock) or how much light they receive - one site said they 'live out their entire lives in darkness'. I'd like to see the fish, but I'm thinking of using just a small, dim light. I'm curious if the fish need a light/dark cycle, or if they even know the light is there. If anyone knows more about this, please let me know, I'd appreciate it :)
 
Those fish don't have eyes at all so one would think lighting doesn't matter, but the few web pages I found that say anything about it recommend dim lighting. the rocks and cave idea you have for their tank sounds cool! Post a pic of them if you find some!
 
Thanks for the info - that's what I think I'll do; use enough light to view the tank, but keep the tank subdued.
I definitely will post a picture if I build it - I was thinking of using slate but most of the sites I saw about caves showed more rounded rock, so what I'm going to do is go to my LFS and see what types of rock they've got that might make a good 'cave'. I'll probably need to use a ton of silicone and I'm sure it will take a while to construct. If it looks anything like I envision it, it will be quite an unusual tank!
 
i have a few blind cave tetras in one of my tanks, its low light but nothing below a standard aquarium light, they dont mind at all and swim around all day and all night.

its pretty funny watching them though they just kind of drift around bumping into other fish, one of mine is about 3 in long.
 
zin said:
its pretty funny watching them though they just kind of drift around bumping into other fish, one of mine is about 3 in long.
Click to expand...

**imagines seeing this**

LOL!
 
lighting

It's funny you should make this post. Just today I was thinking a neat set up would be a species tank with dark gravel, and all kinds of cave and rock formations set up like tunnels. The lighting would be black lighting to produce a cool visual effect. Basically I don't think they much care about the lighting or light cycle. The fry, if they have any may be a different matter as their born with eyes that slowly shrink to nothing as they age.
 
I guess they are a little different - maybe that's why I've always liked them :D
I'm intrigued by 'different' fish, like those that live very deep in the ocean or in caves, and thought this would be one type of fish I could have in my home that's made an unusual adaptation to its environment.
I read a few articles online about how they map out their environment and never bump into decorations/tank walls - even if you move things around they quickly learn where everything is again. I guess moving fish aren't so easy for them to pinpoint ;)
 
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