Lights change clownfish behavior?

CoralBlue · Jul 30, 2020

So I’ve read somewhere on here that blue lights can trigger a mating response in clownfish. Does anyone have any experience with this? I run my daytime lights (stock biocube) and the clownfish are very calm. When my blues come on primarily for an hour between 9-10pm before all off, the bigger clownfish goes berserk on the other one, absolutely vicious. I’m just confused as to why it would be the blue lights doing this. I’m not quite sure if they are a mated pair yet, they’ve been dancing for months but seem to stay somewhat separate. Thoughts?

Mike N · Jul 30, 2020

Since I have been getting into clownfish breeding, I've been reading a ridiculous amount of information on the subject.
Not once have I read about blue light triggering a mating response. You'd think if it were true, it would be mentioned in every article/forum post/etc.
Definitely weird how the clown attacks when the lights change, never noticed that before.

Tahoe61 · Jul 30, 2020

If I remember correctly a lengthening of the photoperiod can promote a spawn.
My female Maroon becomes more active and aggressive later in the photoperiod. When the female is about to lay eggs she becomes even more aggressive, going as far as to attack corals.

CoralBlue · Jul 30, 2020

Mike N said:
Since I have been getting into clownfish breeding, I've been reading a ridiculous amount of information on the subject.
Not once have I read about blue light triggering a mating response. You'd think if it were true, it would be mentioned in every article/forum post/etc.
Definitely weird how the clown attacks when the lights change, never noticed that before.

Yeah I’m stumped It may have been what tahoe61 commented about the photoperiod rather than the light.

CoralBlue · Jul 30, 2020

Tahoe61 said:
If I remember correctly a lengthening of the photoperiod can promote a spawn.
My female Maroon becomes more active and aggressive later in the photoperiod. When the female is about to lay eggs she becomes even more aggressive, going as far as to attack corals.

Hmm, maybe I’ll have to switch my hours a bit see if that changes anything. I don’t think I can run the blues because the bigger one is definitely going to kill the smaller one give more time.