Growing fry, Leaving the lights on

nick11380 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 01:28 AM

I have read in several books that you should leave the lights on 24 hours a day so fry will grow faster. But they never say why.

Why will fry grow faster with the lights on 24 hours a day?

RazorBlade · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 11:34 AM

Fry of what fish?

And seriously, I can't think of a reason to have the lights switched on 24/7 - even fry need to sleep, and even plants need to "rest & breathe".

If it is fish fry - keep them in a LARGE tank, with good water parameters & proper feeding, and they'll grow large very quickly (though not necessarily maturing faster).

nick11380 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 11:11 PM

The books have said this about angelfish and goldfish fry.

I agree that keeping fry in a large tank, good water and good food they'll grow big fast. As long as these needs are met it seems like the fish should grow day and night (my fry have grown to 1 1/4 inch in four weeks with the lights off at night). But for some reason some books say that the fry will grow faster if the light are on 24/7. But they don't say why?

RazorBlade · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick11380

The books have said this about angelfish and goldfish fry.

I agree that keeping fry in a large tank, good water and good food they'll grow big fast. As long as these needs are met it seems like the fish should grow day and night (my fry have grown to 1 1/4 inch in four weeks with the lights off at night). But for some reason some books say that the fry will grow faster if the light are on 24/7. But they don't say why?

Maybe the main reason for lights 24/7 is to keep the fry awake & active, on the assumption they grow faster that way. But ... keeping lights on 24/7 is more likely to stress the fry, and stressed fishes IMHO don't grow healthy.

Your choice! If you "experiment" with lights 24/7 vs lights for 12 hours only, you can probably post your experience then!

Happy fishkeeping!

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