Stupid question, but do fish sleep and not move?

[Stepharoonie!]

No, Smoothie isn't dead. But, he's one creepy little fish. This little sucker will literally LAY on the bottom of the tank and just NOT move. Turn on his light, he "wakes up" and starts looking for food.

It's almost like he's playing dead...there's been numerous times I've walked up to the tank and the fish just sinks to the bottom and will "lay" there for a good 15-20. He'll only "get up" if I tap the tank or turn on the light, since he thinks it's time to eat.

It's just bizarre and SPPPPOOOKKKY!!

 

[VampHeartless]

Yet another reason to add to my list of reasons I will never, ever let spooky fish into my household.

 

[phillybeth]

What kind of fish is Smoothie? If he is a betta it's not uncommon for them not to move for a while. Fish don't really sleep but they do kind of zone out occasionally.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

He's a calico fantail aka fancy looking goldfish. Named Smoothie 'cause Maddy was drinking a smoothie at the time, and that was what she wanted to call him. Hehehe.

Makes me think of that murdering goldfish on South Park....

 

[mickeyboat]

I remember seeing that dolphins sleep. They look like they are dead. I bet other fish do the same thing.

Denae

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I had a fish like that once. He was one of these catfish things. Barely moved. I almost flushed him a number of times. I think he maybe had brain damage or something. He was friendly though. Occasionaly he'd eat right out of my hand. He lived to be about 4.

 

[CEDmom]

DD's fish will just kind of float of the bottom of the tank when no one is around. Like you, once we turn on a light or go near the tank she's up and swimming around looking for food.

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

Our Betta does the same thing, it is kinda freaky and I too tap on the tank to make sure he's alive.