Betta fish, also known as faint dozers or sensitive sleepers. Lots of betta owner’s are confused that how do betta fish sleep, well a experienced vet has explained all factors of sleep that take part in betta fish.
Having a keen sensitivity, they are considered light sleepers because of their keen sense of danger while asleep. Due to their original habitat, which consists of predators and competitors, having a keen awareness in such an environment helps them wake up and act by the slightest movement, even while sleeping.
This instinct had been developed since immemorial. Offspring who have never experienced wildness will behave the same because it is part of their hormone secretion; even when enclosed in a tank predator free and has no life threat, they will still behave very sensitively while sleeping. They prefer sleeping at night and mobility during the day.
They are considered preferable for tankers because they can sleep at night without a light. Although most of them sleep at night, some mimic me by sleeping in the daytime. This behavior always scares novice aquarium owners because they will assume that their fish is dead. Due to the absence of eyelids, it’s hard to know when they are asleep or awake.
How Do I Know That My Betta Is Sleeping?
The facial outlook of your fish can tell you if your fish is asleep or dead. While sleeping, they do breathe. Constant intake and outturn of water through the mouth and gills show that the fish is sleeping and alive. The rate at which the fish breathes while asleep is slower than when awake because, while asleep less oxygen is required than when awake and active.
Change in betta color is another factor. They change their beautiful coloration while asleep, which is mistaken for illness. Though not permanent, theories have been made that they are a medium of camouflage while sleeping to hide them from other aquatic animals.
The inability to return to its original color shows signs of illness. Positioning is another great factor. Most of them sleep in a curled posture, their head facing towards the floor of the tank and lying one-sided. Some fall asleep with a wide open fin, which could be mistaken for death.
At What Ideal Place Do Betta Fish Sleep?
Bettas usually lay on their sides, mostly due to the presence of soft and comfortable leave. They mostly lie on their sides which has negative side effects like shock and ammonia poisoning, just like the saying “too much of everything is bad.”
Don’t be scared to see your fish resting at the bottom of the aquarium because they are always on the surface.
Rest your mind because it happens on rare occasions, but you have to be curious when you come across such action because it may result from illness. Fast current can also cause your fish to sink to the bottom of your tank to protect its delicate body parts.
Your fish majorly love to sleep on broad leaves like that of Anubias Nanas. Such plants give comfort to the fish while they are asleep. They mostly love sleeping on their sides; some sleep upright or erected, while others sleep facing the bottom of their tank. With all these points, you can now know if your fish is comfortable or disturbed.
How To Ensure That My Betta Sleeps Well?
A comfortable fish is a peaceful fish. Like us, bettas enjoy sleeping under shelters, while they prefer a dark tank at night. Because their eyes never close, it would be unwise to have a high light penetration at night. Some prefer sleeping at night, so it’s advisable to turn off the tank lights. Also, excessive usage of light can cause the growth of microorganisms in the tank.
A timer in the tank is also a good medium to help regulate the time the light should be off and on, to help us turn off the light at night even when we forget to do so. They feel comfy in a shaded area. Luckily it is easy to come by: choose from shady areas in your tank room, and make sure it’s not positioned directly to windows. Long and broad plants are necessary to avoid extreme light penetration.
A nice decoration in the tank can also be useful for replacing its original habitat, for example, underwater caves and openings. They may not be very pleasant to some fish varieties, but beautification attracts them.
Having shades at your tank’s top, middle, and the bottom is also important so your fish can choose comfortable areas to sleep in. This suggestion will be easily executed in a large tank; as for small tanks, some decorations that aren’t attractive to your fish should be removed to create space in your tank.
What Does It Mean, If BETTA Fish Sleeps Too Much?
Just like human beings, there is no specific amount of time they can sleep; they sleep and wake up at their own will. The more you watch your fish and be closer to it you will know when they are asleep and when there is a problem.
Bettas are very sensitive to their environment; for example, when you move closer to your tank when your fish is asleep, they don’t move away, and then you can have second thoughts if they are oversleeping or if they are ill. Below are the reasons your fish usually oversleeps.
Having a dark tank:
Most fishes sleep due to the light intensity in their tank. A low amount of light penetration or a faint light will make it difficult for your fish to differentiate between day and night. Your fish must have an average of 7 to 13 hours of light daily due to the fact that they rarely sleep during the day.
Dull tank: absence of wildlife like plants and similar specie can make the tank too isolated for your fish. Decorations like caves and rocks can also help to create a lively habitat for your fish.
A boring tank can make you get tired and lazy easily; having interactive activities like using a specialized mirror; will assume its reflection as an intruder and portray aggressive behavior, which positively keeps them from loneliness.
Such activities must be performed on some occasions because they can easily make your fish very tired. A major help to make your fish happy is having calm tank mates like barb and tetra; it helps makes the tank look lively and interactive.
Temperature variations:
Due to high sensitivity, temperature change can be very dangerous to fish because it can cause sluggishness and laziness to your fish. When there is a critical fall in temperature, temperature increase to standard level must be done gradually.
If not, any instant rise may be damaging to your fish. Once your fish becomes active, you must maintain the temperature at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A tank thermometer will be of great importance to your fish to help keep a steady temperature regularly.
Possible illness:
oversleeping on rare occasions can signal illness. Spotting spots on your fish’s body, especially white bumps, can be. As a result, a bacterial infection. Overfeeding can also cause indigestion or constipation.
Overfeeding causes an increase in weight, which makes the fish find it difficult to swim or float. Be cautious; your fish should not be fed for a day, and a frozen diet may be necessary. Then observe your fish for positive changes. If the problem persists, seek medical help.
Common infections in your fish are Velvet, Anchor worms, and Holes in the head.
Signs of old age:
Bettas live up to five years or more. Don’t be frightened to see them sleeping too much regularly; just let the lad have a peaceful sleep. Having much rest and sleep in their late stage is vital for their health. Sluggish movement and low sensitivity are signs that your fish is getting old, and they are usually happy to stay in a peaceful tank, alone or with calm tank mates, which is less stressful.
What Does It Means That Betta Fish Doesn’t Sleep?
There are several reasons to explain why your fish doesn’t sleep. As stated below, all fish sleep, whether during the day or night, but majorly at night. Below are some reasons to explain sleeplessness in fish
Tank mates:
Bettas are usually territorial, and having a tank mate stresses them out; there will be less time for them to sleep due to regular activity and aggression.
They struggle for space and territory, which makes them worn out. After such actions, they usually rest at the bottom of the tank to regain strength, which is bad for their health. Having stressful tank mates can reduce your fish’s sleep but removing tank mates from your tank will make the tank boring.
Making the right decision has less stressful and calm fish as tank mates will make your fish live a normal life. Here are choices of fishes that can be good tank mates, e.g., harlequin rasbora, cardinal tetra, platy, and Amano shrimp.
The high degree of brightness:
Too much brightness in your tank can make your fish find it hard to differentiate between day and night. A well-regulated light will be of good use to your fish to maintain light fluctuations even if you aren’t around to fix them.
Constant usage of natural light sources can lead to the growth of harmful microorganisms, and algae are bad for your fish’s health. If you still insist on using natural light, then be ready to remove algae from your tank, which is very tedious and stressful. Tankers are encouraged to use natural LEDs, which are not very expensive and do not support algae.
Our Final Words
Sleep is very necessary for all organisms. Having a fish with eyelids that don’t close can be very tricky to know when they are awake or asleep. And be very cautious not to wake a sleeping bulldog, oh! I mean sleeping fish. The fact that they can’t complain doesn’t give you the right to steal their peaceful sleep away from them. Always have the light out to encourage comfortable sleep and have the temperature at a normal state to affect your fish’s health. For humans, health is wealth, but for fish, health is rest.
You can share your views on “do betta fish sleep” in the comment below.
Leave a Reply