Are blacklights bad for fish?

[Peteman187]

I have 3 Bala-Sharks and I have a regular light on top, and one of those blachlights behind the tank that lights up my wall. Is this okay for the fish?

 

[bluefire]

im not sure but my guewss is that the fish probably can't see blacklights

 

[Dubby]

As long as its not directly shining on them from the side they should be OK.

 

[Undawada]

I've seen blacklights used before. There was someone who was making a betta tank with blacklight for a nightlight. I can't remeber who. I don't think the fish mind, as long as regular lights are on from time to time.

 

[Undawada]

Just did a search and found this thread.

long-term exposure to blacklight is detrimental to a fish's health.

It will slowly cause damage to the retinas of the fish, especially top-dwellers. May also cause cancer, but this tends to be a bit rarer.

 

[Teelie]

Sounds thin to me. If someone has something more credible, say from a more scientific source, then I'll take notice. Otherwise this is just another "fish fit to the size of their tank" myth to me.

I don't use blacklights often but I have one if I need to see my fish doing something at night. They don't seem to mind it.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Wow, I've tried to use a blacklight on my tank and all I got was weird green water at the top and inky blackness at the bottom. And I couldn't see my fish at all.

 

[Teelie]

There's moonlight/lunar light as well. It is brighter and more natural plus will let you see your fish better.

 

[Isis_Nebthet]

I really doubt a blacklight puts out more uva and uvb than the sun?

Pond fish don't get sunburned unless under some odd circumstances.....Now I don't think that means you should weld around a tank......