New Here
 

Hello to all. My gf and I are recent fish owners. We have a newly established tank and are looking forward to seeing it prosper. We currently have an ongoing debate that is rather silly. We would like to know if fish can eat without the lights on. I say "yes" they can, but I have no proof to back up my theory. She likes to keep the lights on until the fish are done eating out of respect so they don't have to eat in the dark. Please shed some "light" on this subject for us. Thanks all.

Well it all depends on the fish you have are they bottom feeders or mid water feeders or top feeders:

bottom feeders will be able to feed with or without light
top feeders should be able to feed depending on the type of food
mid water feeders IMHO will not be able to see the food floating around in tank

but this all depends on how and what you feed :D

but i'm sure you will get other opinions

hello and warm welcome to you both . :)
hmmm interesting,never thought about it before. lol
well.........in the morning i feed the fish and there are no loghts on
until the afternoon.
and if i feed them a little in the evening the lights are on.
i guess they don't mind either way,it's what they are used to
they are such greedy little loves that they will be glad of
food wether the lights are on or off.
i have to add that years ago i did have some catfish that would only come out after lights out for food,they never looked skinny though
that's for sure.
hope to have helped a little.

Hello and welcome!