Do guppies need light? How much light do they need? And what about guppy fry? These are questions you might be asking yourself when you’re looking after your guppies.
But you no longer have to worry. In this article, you’re going to find out all the answers to this question and more! So keep reading to find out!
Do Guppies Need Light?
Yes, if you’re going to look after guppies, then they definitely need light. Just like humans, guppies have a circadian rhythm, so they need light to figure out when to sleep and when to wake up. So if you’re going to house guppies in your aquarium, make sure you have a light for them as well.
(Find out how to setup a guppy tank.)
How Much Light Do Guppies Need?
Your guppy should be getting between 8-10 hours of light per day. Anything more than that, and you’re going to stress them out, which will weaken their immune system. Likewise, anything less than that will have a similar effect.
When they’re not getting enough light or too much light in the tank, their circadian rhythm will be out of sync, and they won’t know whether they’re coming or going.
So make sure you’re giving your guppy the right amount of light! Not too much, but not too little.
What Type Of Light Is Best For Guppies?
You may also be wondering what the best type of light for your guppies is. After all, there are so many different types you can choose from. While all lights are going to get the job done, your best choice has to be LED lights.
LED lights don’t get as hot as other lights, which means not only are they going to keep the tank illuminated, but they’re also not going to affect the temperature of the tank as much as other light bulbs.
However, if your guppies’ tank is already in sunlight, then this can be enough light for them. (You should avoid putting your guppies tank in direct sunlight. Not only is this going to raise the temperature in the tank, but it’s also going to increase the amount of algae growth in the tank as well.)
Some people also recommend using a UV lamp in their tank. This is the one that will most simulate natural sunlight in the tank, and it will also help plants grow. However, it’s definitely not necessary if you already have an LED light in the tank.
(Find out whether guppies need a heater.)
Do Guppy Fries Need Light?
Just like guppies, guppy fries are also going to need light to grow properly and healthily. In fact, the right amount of light is even more important to guppy fry than it is to guppies. If you don’t give your guppy fry enough light when they’re growing up, then they’re going to become weak, and in some cases, their spines can even curve.
How Much Light Do Guppy Fries Need?
Guppy fries are going to need slightly more light than their parents. Where their parents can live happily on between 8-10 hours of light per day, guppy fries are going to need between 12-14.
The light doesn’t have to be overly strong or bright; it just needs to be on in the tank a lot of the time to help them grow strong.
And of course, like all newborns, make sure you’re giving them time with the lights off as well so that they have enough time to sleep. They should be getting at least 6-8 hours of complete darkness per day as well.
(Find out whether guppies need a filter.)
How Can You Make Sure Your Guppies And Guppy Fry Are Getting Enough Light?
Fortunately, it’s very easy to make sure that your guppy and guppy fry are getting enough light. And the best thing you can do is buy an automatic timer. This way, you won’t have to worry about turning the lights on and off. Just set the timer up once, and it will sort the rest out for you.
If you want to get an automatic timer for your fish tank, you can pick them up pretty cheap off Amazon!
Recap
Now you know everything there is to know about whether guppies need light. And the answer is yes! Of course, they need light.
Remember, when setting up the lights for your guppy and guppy fry, you want to imitate their environment as much as possible. Doing this will ensure they live happy and healthy lives.
And if you don’t want the hassle of remembering to turn the light on and off, you should purchase an automatic timer!
