Light and fry

[Sylvan]

My Betta Coccina pair have spawned and the eggs have hatched. As they're wriggling they're dropping out of the nest and the male is gathering them back up as he spots them. Am I best leaving the tank light on so he can see them as they fall and catch them or turning it off to give them a natural period of darkness?
The tank light was turned on quite late today around 4/5pm as I'd read Betta eggs need subdued lighting/darkness to develop. I usually turn it on around 1/2 in the afternoon so I can watch them into the evening.

 

[Retired Viking]

Would really like to see some pictures of the fry and the father protecting them sounds so cool I don't know but leaving the light on a little longer make sense.

 

[Sylvan]

Would really like to see some pictures of the fry and the father protecting them sounds so cool I don't know but leaving the light on a little longer make sense.

I put a terrible one on the main thread about them, I'm trying not to disturb them whilst also watching avidly. As for photos of the fry, they are tiny! They're literally an egg with a bit of a tail poking out at the minute. I thought they were daphnia at first until I watched one fall out of the nest. Photos of them will have to wait till they've survived into the free swimming stage and grown a bit.

 

[Sylvan]

I've circled it so you can see it but that tiny white dot is a fry. Tiny!

 

[JuiceBox52]

I cannot wait to see some more pic once their bigger

 

[Sylvan]

I've decided to leave the light on and just covered the other tank in the room with a towel so they're not too disturbed but the male has a chance of spotting the fry because he's already working hard enough as it is.

 

[Sylvan]

I cannot wait to see some more pic once their bigger

If they survive. I'm not getting my hopes up yet because its the first time they've hatched but I'm very happy that they've finally hatched a batch since it confirms I have at least 2 fertile fish. Plus it also means Big Daddy's parenting instincts have kicked in so hopefully no more destroyed nests going forwards.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Yay! I'm glad you've seen some success! Hoping they make it!

 

[Retired Viking]

They are so tiny wow! Thank you for the photo. I hope all goes well and you have some make it