Dark-induced cone outer segment damage in the neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

The outer segment of the twin cones of the neon tetra show scrolling and vesiculation when exposed to 36 hr of continuous darkness. This disruption first begins as a rolling of the margins of the cone lamellae and proceeds to form a complex pattern of scrolls and vesicles. There is evidence that this damage can be repaired without having to return the animals to a normal light regime. Similar lamellar disruptions have been seen in the outer segments of both rods and cones of other species that have been exposed to various other light regimes including constant light.