2006-10-05 02:58:29 · 49 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
A dead fish will have no opercular movements (the flaps covering the gills). The opercula on a sleeping fish will move up and down as the fish breathes.
Some oceanic species of fish need to be constantly swimming to keep breathing, these are not usually the kind of fish we keep in aquariums. Most aquarium fish do sleep. Also, fish can be floating upside down and not be dead. It is a symptom of a serious problem, but not necessarily a death sentence.
2006-10-05 03:00:55 · answer #1 · answered by inghit 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are a number of ways of telling, firstly look into the tank and see if there are an zzz coming from the gills if so this means the fish is sleeping.
If the fish is fairly static for a number of days and bits are falling off,generally this indicates death.
Goldfish tend to move very slowly when sleeping, and indeed in death, however check the apparatus on which the tank is stood as equipment such as fridges and freezers can poften lead to confusion in the status of a fish as the motor vibrations of the equipment propel the fish giving the appearance of life
You might try putting on a finding nemo dvd and see if this provokes a reaction
Alternatively
If this question is causing you distress might I suggest that you remove the fish from the tank take it into an open space and shoot it with a shot gun, at least this way you will be sure
Hope this helps
2006-10-05 03:06:01 · answer #2 · answered by greydays 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well..fish don't sleep for long. if the fish does not stat moving in a few minutes it is probably dead. try tapping the glass sightly. if it is asleep then it will start to move it's fins and gills..then you know it is alive. if it is floating belly or side up on the top of the water, there's a good chance it is dead.
2006-10-05 03:05:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the fish is on its side floating at the top of the tank then its dead I'm afraid. if its lying in any other position not at the top of the tank then its sleeping and yes fish do sleep otherwise where would they get all their energy as you're not really supposed to feed them often
2006-10-05 08:03:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had that problem before. I just put a net in the water, and when I got close to the fish, it moved. Usually if they are dead, they float. Look and see if the gills are moving.
2006-10-05 03:13:13 · answer #5 · answered by mememe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a dead fish usually float at the top of the tank
2006-10-05 03:13:10 · answer #6 · answered by Mello 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you serious? FIsh don't sleep with their eyes closed and are always moving, if they don't they die...!
If you fish is dead, he be upside down at the top of the tank, or after a few days it gets waterlogged and you will find it in the bottom of the tank...!
2006-10-05 03:00:51 · answer #7 · answered by KinfOfPly 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fish usually float when dead
2006-10-05 02:59:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If a fish is floating on it's side at the top of the tank it's dead.
2006-10-05 02:59:34 · answer #9 · answered by Curious J. 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Oh dear Peter
now you have just set yourself up for some bad answers. You do know that fish do sleep. If you don't know that then i am sorry to tell you but your poor fish has drowned LOL
2006-10-05 03:08:29 · answer #10 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋