Hi everyone, please bear with me as I am a newbie to Aquarium Advice. Pleased to be a part of this aquarium community!
I have a blood parrot cichlid, he is approximately 4 years old. Water is healthy, I feed him pellets and the occasional frozen bloodworm as a treat. I was reading on other forums that fish have circadian rhythm just like humans and it is advised that the aquarium lights are turned off at night to reduce stress and let the fish know it is time to rest. My blood parrot cichlid sleeps at night when the house is quiet and there's no outside (of the tank) activity to distract him. Sometimes if I wake up early I catch him still sleeping inside his house with his tail sticking out, and he comes out when I approach the tank. I decided to give turning off the aquarium light a try but he only felt more distressed by pointing his nose downwards, going in and out of his house, and then swimming around. After a little bit, I turned the lights back on and he seemed less distressed. He has been used to having lights on 24/7 for the last 4 years and I was unaware of the light situation up until now.
Is there a way I can transition my blood parrot cichlid to become accustomed to lights off at night or is it too late now? I simply want him to relax at night, he is a ball of energy whenever I'm around the tank, which I know is normal. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on any of this information or if additional information is needed.
I have a blood parrot cichlid, he is approximately 4 years old. Water is healthy, I feed him pellets and the occasional frozen bloodworm as a treat. I was reading on other forums that fish have circadian rhythm just like humans and it is advised that the aquarium lights are turned off at night to reduce stress and let the fish know it is time to rest. My blood parrot cichlid sleeps at night when the house is quiet and there's no outside (of the tank) activity to distract him. Sometimes if I wake up early I catch him still sleeping inside his house with his tail sticking out, and he comes out when I approach the tank. I decided to give turning off the aquarium light a try but he only felt more distressed by pointing his nose downwards, going in and out of his house, and then swimming around. After a little bit, I turned the lights back on and he seemed less distressed. He has been used to having lights on 24/7 for the last 4 years and I was unaware of the light situation up until now.
Is there a way I can transition my blood parrot cichlid to become accustomed to lights off at night or is it too late now? I simply want him to relax at night, he is a ball of energy whenever I'm around the tank, which I know is normal. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on any of this information or if additional information is needed.