Hypancistrus zebra lighting

König Löwe · Post by **König Löwe** » 15 Sep 2003, 17:42

I had a chat with a catfish guy in a fish store a few days ago and he suggested I should try dimming the light in my zebra-tank, to make them a bit less shy. That got me thinking... Zebras live at quite a depth in the rivers, how much light do they usually get there? Is there really any reason to light the tank with anything more than the roof lighting in the room?

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 15 Sep 2003, 17:46

Hi!

On the one hand youd think thats its quite dark down 7 meters, but on the other hand its clearwater so the sun will penetrate the water quite well...never been there so this is just what my brain brings up thinking about it.

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Sep 2003, 17:47

Even in very clear water, you'd be surprised at the amount of light that gets attenuated on its way down. At 7 meters, I'd say it'd be pretty dim, even for crystal-clear waters.

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 15 Sep 2003, 17:51

Ok i get it hh.

On the other hand isnt artificial aqualight Lux wise not quite dim to start with?

doctorzeb · Post by **doctorzeb** » 15 Sep 2003, 17:59

Hey Konig,

I've jostled with the same dilema, and ended up using low wattage natural sunlight bulbs. I think you could be right though, they seem to come out more when the ligth goes off.

I have them coming on for about 10 hours in the summer and 8 hours in the winter.

How are they all doing anyway?

rob

Post by **Barbie** » 15 Sep 2003, 18:03

When dealing with lighting reef tanks, you want to get the most lumens possible over your tank for corals that are collected out of "shallow" water, of 5 meters or less, to simulate daylight. I don't think 7 meters would necessarily have blocked out THAT much direct sunlight, but you also have to take into consideration that the banks would be tree lined, so only a portion of the water would be getting direct sunlight, most of the day.

I don't think normal aquarium lighting would be too bright for them, in so much as to make them uncomfortable. I just personally think that since they are basically nocturnal, they're more comfortable with very dim conditions.

My zebras come out and move around the tank and eat with 40 watts of light, on a 40 gallon breeder tank, but only if I hold VERY still, and pretend I'm part of the furniture in the room

The L260's are the same.

Barbie

S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 16 Sep 2003, 03:25

uhh.. someone ought to send mine a memo as they're very active in 350 watts of light over a 90 gallon. I suppose they missed the meeting about being light-shy.

polkadot · Post by **polkadot** » 16 Sep 2003, 15:50

Is it true that they can detect blue or red light easily?

Evan · Post by **Evan** » 16 Sep 2003, 21:47

Can a zebra leave in a 10 gal. tanks? I have a twenty I could put him in Would either of these work? Thx Evan.

MackIntheBox · Post by **MackIntheBox** » 19 Sep 2003, 16:15

I am curious as well, what size tank is recomended for these guys?

doctorzeb · Post by **doctorzeb** » 19 Sep 2003, 16:50

Evan, a 10 gallon is probably a bit small, and it also makes it a little more difficult to keep the high water quality.

In my opinion I would say that a 20 gallon would be a minimun, due to the fat that they do need territory, and don't mix too well with other bottom dwellers. (they're really shy, and can easily starve themselves instead of coming out for food)

good luck

rob