Do Fish Sleep?

[timpetty]

May be a stupid question? But do fish sleep? I have a green Chromis who disappears after lights out. Maybe hiding or maybe sleeping. But what I do know is my Oscellaris Clown is swimming at the front of the glass all day, every day. I can wake in the middle of the night and hes still there. Any input?

 

[chrissaysyes]

What I do know about this is yes, fish "sleep." and yes, it's normal for occ. clowns to stay moving. Each one I've had stays active and moving both night and day. I have kept tomato clowns before and they do retreat and sleep so apparently not all clowns exhibit this behavior.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, Clownfish "sleep". Their metabolism lowers and movement slows during the night, but they don't ever stop moving like we humans do. Many other fish will dissappear into the rockwork and "bed down" for the night, but not clowns

 

[Musho3210]

Yeah, Clownfish "sleep". Their metabolism lowers and movement slows during the night, but they don't ever stop moving like we humans do. Many other fish will dissappear into the rockwork and "bed down" for the night, but not clowns

involuntary muscles? (not trying to prove you wrong, its a real question, not hypothetic)

 

[timpetty]

Thanks guys... It never seemed to be a problem. More a question of curiosity.

 

[SkiFletch]

Dunno Musho, thats a real tough one. I've never quite studied the sleeping habits of clownfish

 

[timpetty]

Dont think its involuntary muscles... Looks just like he does during the day.

 

[Musho3210]

Dont think its involuntary muscles... Looks just like he does during the day.

he could have his involuntary muscles working during the day to stay afloat?

 

[Lynden]

They do sleep, but certainly not exactly like we humans do. Rather, they fall into a trance-like state, usually retaining basic muscle control. A notable exception to this is cleaner wrasses which simply "stop" when the lights are extinguised and sleep wherever they land. Some, such as parrotfish, fall into a deeper trance than others and as such can even be nudged without waking up (to obscure their scent they produce a mucous coccoon). Others will wake up if a light shines on them.

 

[tat2life]

yup my orange percula clown sleeps on the sandbed and doesnt move at all unless i walk past the tank or the black clown swims on top of him. my black percula clown is moving around the tank all night though usually only moving about 5 inches or so but he is still sleeping just doesnt look like it a whole lot

 

[chrissaysyes]

A notable exception to this is cleaner wrasses which simply "stop" when the lights are extinguised and sleep wherever they land.

Some tetraodons exhibit this behavior as well, correct?

 

[Lynden]

Oh, probably. My trigger and puffer do have specific spots, whereas my cleaner wrasses have all just swam for a few seconds then "dropped". Often they would be against the front glass, then awake and greet me when the lights turned back on. Very cute.

 

[northy]

yh i think they do, well they must all fish in tanks.

 

[shibby]

my trigger and puffer used to have specific spots as well. the wrasses just seem to sleep anywhere, and tha bangaiis continue swimming, or floating around.

 

[steelhealr]

Some parrotfish will aslo 'coccon' themselves as additional protection. Yes...they sleep. My sixline DEFINITELY would sleep and would be out for the count. SH