Leaving the Light On

[Prizm]

It's been two weeks and my Walmart Fishy isn't doing too well. He had apparently bitten a part of his tail off during his "cup on a shelf days" and his tail now is blackening and seems to be thinning at the edges and is becoming tattered. He's in a 1 gallon Aquaview and my question is, do you think that leaving the light on ALL the time (to keep the water warm) is harmful to the fish? The water remains luke warm to the touch and the fish swims about, but I wonder if the light could be stressing him. I'm going to take him home tonight (home from work) and put him next to my first betta in something more round shaped as Aquaview is triangular and caused my first fish some problems. (you can tell from his swimming that the first betta actually prefers a 14 cup coffee pot to the 1 gallon Aquaview because in the pot, he can swim continuously in a circular pattern without having to stop or turn around.) At home, the air around the stove keeps water-filled bowls warm enough, but at work, I've been relying on the aquaview's light fixture. (Sorry if I'm rambling, but I'm writing while on break). Are there any concerns to a light remaining on?

 

[Kiarra]

I do believe they prefer their day and night cycles, much like any other animal. This lack of a night cycle could be driving him a little batty. Also, do you have a thermometer with a measured temperature? Lukewarm to the touch concerns me...it's too indefinite.

His tail sounds like a case of fin rot. You don't really need medication to cure this. Just keep his water extremely clean by changing it as often as you can (no more than once a day, please ), and adding a little bit of aquarium salt with each water change. That SHOULD curb it, but, if it doesn't, try finding some Indian Almond Leaves, Blackwater Extract, or colloidal silver. They're very all-natural and not proper medicines, so they won't stress out your boy. They're just water additives to more replicate their natural environment and to balance out water chemistry for them. They would aid in healing a great deal. Really, though, the aquarium salt and frequent water changes to keep the water as clean as possible should take care of the finrot and get his fins back long and beautiful within a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Prizm]

Thanks! Just curious, is Aquarium salt any different from organic "Sea Salt" which can be used for food? I plan on purchasing some from a health food store and I wonder if it is the same thing.

 

[Kiarra]

Aquarium salt is pure Sodium Chloride, NaCl. No additives like iodine or calcium silicate like in our table salt...just pure sodium chloride.

If your organic "sea salt" is pure sodium chloride, then they're one and the same.

 

[eudielynn]

My boss uses only sea salt at home, we compared labels to aquarium salt. Seems to be exactly the same except for price. (My aquarium salt was cheaper.)

 

[FishyLoveBug]

I agree with the day night cycle. Also do not leave the tank light on when the room is dark. It creates a mirrored image in the entire tank, the fish can become VERY stressed from this.

 

[Prizm]

Well, I have brought him home ^-^ and he his tail is healing it seems.

 

[paint]

IV had my light on at least 6months straight on my breeding tank an the fish are doing well
caused alot of algae build up... the the fish look fine..

 

[Prizm]

Yeah, I think he's doing okay..actually, I think it was the shape of the tank causing him to not heal somehow. Maybe it's me, but he looks more active/"happy" in a round container! He's home, next to the stove in warmer water w/ semi-night cycles now & natural (indirect) sunlight