Puffers afraid of the dark!

[Kurt]

This might sound crazy but need some lighting help. I recently just got a 29G With 2 18" white halogens bulbs with It (do not know the watt). The tank Is stocked with 2 Figure Eight Puffer and the rest of bs that makes the tank pretty. To the point I dont mind leaving the light on at night but I would like to turn If off through out the day (the room gets plenty of light In the day). Seems when I turn of the lights off in the tank the puffers go crazy racing around the tank for a minute or two. Is this normal or Is there something I can do. Much help Appreciated.

[The Fisherman]

its probably such a sudden change from that bright of a light ( halogens are pretty powerful if i remember correctly) to sudden drakness. my F8 jumps a little when i turn the light out, unless i move very slowly to let him know im going to turn the light out.

it could also be that changeing there daytime/nighttime cycle has confused them. IMHO, i would not leave the light on all night, and turn it off during the day, but thats just me.


is there any other tank inhabitants?

whats the salinity of your tank?

is your tank cycled?

[Kurt]

Hey thanks for quick response. To answer your questions, the tank itself is now has been up and running for a 3 & 1/2 weeks now. The water is treated and I'm the process of doing the first partial water change this week. There are no other In habitats for now. And the Salinity sits in between 1.004-1.008. Also do you any advise In needed to raise or lower to salinity level.

[The Fisherman]

hey,

sounds good, was your tank cycled before you put the puffs in?

your doing really good on salinity, F8s do best at 1.005. you may want to get a more acurate hydrometer or get a refractometer , just to be sure.

it could also be that the puffs are scared if they are new, espeacially since F8s are wild cought, they could be getting used to aquarium life, becasue in the wild there would have been a gradual sunset, rather then sudden darkness.

[Phaedrus]

Are the bulbs halogen or flourescent? There's a big difference, and I think you meant flourescent.

Turning off the light during the night is a good idea. Fish need a down period every day just like humans and other animals do. Our biology is hard wired for a day night cycle.

As for a gradual sunset, that's not as big of a deal. Eventually they will get used to you being near the tank and won't freak out as much from daily tank things like the lights going on and off.

You said that the room gets a lot of natural light. Beware of any direct sunlight, as algae will quickly become a problem. You could get a timer to control your light. Have it come on for a few hours at a time, or when you know you are going to be around to see it. Other than that, you really don't even need a light if you don't have plants.

What are your water parameters? (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph)

How did you cycle the tank?

You should be changing 50% of the water every week. I'm worried that if you tank wasn't properly cycled before adding the fish, that they could be suffering from ammonia and nitrite build up.

[RTR]

If you put the lights on a timer so that they come on and turn off at the same times every day, the fish will quickly learn the light cycle and not show a startle reaction. Most of the puffers I have kept retreat to their chosen sleep spot before lights go off - they don't atartke at all.

[Tihsho]

Never had any puffs go bezerk when the lights go off. I have some that go to sleep when the lights go out and others that seem to wake up when the darkness falls.

[Kurt]

Thanks for all the replies, I think I got from here. Thanks again everyone.