Saltwater Creatures that live in the dark

[jpshoemaker46]

Just out of curiosity are there any inverts, corals, fish or whatever that can live in the dark w/ minimal sunlight? For example a sump but without any light can something live in there? Just wondering if that's possible!

 

[EricR]

Interesting question. *I'm taking it to mean pretty much no light ever but maybe I misinterpreted that part.
Many inverts are nocturnal and most don't need sunlight directly (I think) but then I'd wonder about what kind of natural food source would develop in a 24/7 dark period, or even very limited light.

No idea, but I like the question.

 

[Mr Fishface]

First thing that comes to my mind are the NPS corals out there. I don't think they need any light but do need some kind of a food source - not sure on the top of my head what that is though. Maybe zooplankton?

 

[jpshoemaker46]

Interesting question. *I'm taking it to mean pretty much no light ever but maybe I misinterpreted that part.
Many inverts are nocturnal and most don't need sunlight directly (I think) but then I'd wonder about what kind of natural food source would develop in a 24/7 dark period, or even very limited light.

No idea, but I like the question.

Right?!? Don't you think it could maybe work?

 

[jpshoemaker46]

First thing that comes to my mind are the NPS corals out there. I don't think they need any light but do need some kind of a food source - not sure on the top of my head what that is though. Maybe zooplankton?

Interesting! I kind of want to try it you know?

 

[EricR]

Right?!? Don't you think it could maybe work?

I would think so. I'd assume you'd end up with lots of sponges but not sure what else.

 

[jpshoemaker46]

I would think so. I'd assume you'd end up with lots of sponges but not sure what else.

Unless you can feed the place I wouldn't think it would matter

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, there are a bunch - the trick is finding ones that we can keep in our tanks, as many of the critters that would fit the criteria are from super deep water zones in the ocean.

Light is basically only needed for 1 - photosynthesis, and 2 - sight. So, the trick is finding critters that are non-photosynthetic and either don't need to see at all or are particularly well adapted to seeing in the dark (if it's pitch black, critters that are adapted to seeing in the dark generally won't work, but there are a few exceptions).

NPS corals (including NPS gorgonians, LPS, etc.), a wide range of filter feeders (bryozoans, feather dusters, bivalves, sponges, tunicates, etc.), and certain fish (especially ones like flashlight fish and pineapple fish, which are bioluminescent, relatively coldwater fish) would all work as long as the space is setup properly for them and they're offered enough proper food. A lot of mobile inverts would be out with no light, but a few might work. Plenty of inverts and fish (particularly the nocturnal species, which typically have much larger eyes like Squirrelfish and Soldierfish) would work fine with just a little bit of light.

What food would be needed depends on the species, but basically you'd need bacteria, phytoplankton, pods (copepods, rotifers, brine shrimp, etc.), powdered fish feed, and/or regular fish feed.

 

[jpshoemaker46]

Yeah, there are a bunch - the trick is finding ones that we can keep in our tanks, as many of the critters that would fit the criteria are from super deep water zones in the ocean.

Light is basically only needed for 1 - photosynthesis, and 2 - sight. So, the trick is finding critters that are non-photosynthetic and either don't need to see at all or are particularly well adapted to seeing in the dark (if it's pitch black, critters that are adapted to seeing in the dark generally won't work, but there are a few exceptions).

NPS corals (including NPS gorgonians, LPS, etc.), a wide range of filter feeders (bryozoans, feather dusters, bivalves, sponges, tunicates, etc.), and certain fish (especially ones like flashlight fish and pineapple fish, which are bioluminescent, relatively coldwater fish) would all work as long as the space is setup properly for them and they're offered enough proper food. A lot of mobile inverts would be out with no light, but a few might work. Plenty of inverts and fish (particularly the nocturnal species, which typically have much larger eyes like Squirrelfish and Soldierfish) would work fine with just a little bit of light.

What food would be needed depends on the species, but basically you'd need bacteria, phytoplankton, pods (copepods, rotifers, brine shrimp, etc.), powdered fish feed, and/or regular fish feed.

Wow thanks for that! I will have to keep all of those in mind! Was just curious to see if I can out something like those in my sump which really doesn't have much light!