Do fish sleep?

Question

Do "gold" fish sleep?

Answer 1

Ithink they do shut down for small amounts of time through out the day but mostly they have to swim to "breathe"

Answer 2

Goldfish have no eyelids, and so will be shocked and stressed if lights are suddenly turned on. It is a good idea to always turn on the room lights first (shielding with a lampshade if the light is very strong). Covering the tank with a towel or blanket may also produce a similar beneficial effect. Fish do sleep every night, and will sleep best when their tank is completely dark, so make sure they receive a good night's sleep every night by turning off their tank lights each night at approximately the same time. Fish who are not allowed to sleep will find ways to rest during the day, but overall, their health may decline as a result of stress

Answer 3

This is a complex question with no simple answer. Deciding if a fish is asleep depends on many factors, one of which is the definition of sleep.

In humans, the transition to sleep (or even closing the eyes) involves specified changes in the pattern of brain waves in the area of the brain called the neocortex. Fishes don't have the same degree of neocortical development as mammals and thus don't display these brain-wave patterns associated with sleep (view figure of a shark brain). So, as far as brain-wave patterns go, fishes don't sleep.

If, however, you define sleep as a combination of a reduced metabolic rate, slowed physical activity, lowered response to stimuli and the assumption of a resting posture, then many fishes do sleep. Perhaps the best-known 'sleepers' are the parrotfishes (family Scaridae). Many parrotfishes find a suitable spot on the seafloor and secrete a mucus envelope in which they spend the night.

Such fishes normally swim away from a diver by day, but can easily be approached and even gently handled at night. Many fishes, however, seem not to sleep. Pelagic (glossary) species such as tunas and some sharks never stop swimming. One theory suggests that during sleep, sensory information (predominantly visual) gathered during the day is processed to form memories. Fishes that swim constantly in blue oceanic waters receive little 'unusual' visual input and require less 'memory-processing time' and thus need no sleep. This is supported by studies on several species of blind fishes that live in caves. These sightless fishes do not sleep.

Having said all that, though, I did enjoy the simple answer of a young neighbour who told me with confidence that fish can't sleep because they don't have eyelids.

Answer 4

Yes, of course. Fish need periods of rest, and that is essentially sleep! Usually a sleeping pet fish will simply find a quiet corner to sleep in - some will go into plants or a crevice, the main point being safety and to keep from floating aimlessly while asleep. Some reef fish actually secrete a "blanket" of mucous around their body to protect them while they sleep!

Some types of fish need to keep moving constantly in order to breathe, such as certain sharks - so they can never truly rest. However, I imaging they probably can go on some form of autopilot and rest at least a part of their mind and body.

Now the real question is, can fish dream?

Answer 5

I have read books, and asked around for this question and the answer is that fish don't "sleep" as you call it. Fish go into what is called a "trance" where they don't move at all but their eyes are still open. Kind of like how a human daydreams.

Answer 6

the answer to your question is no .but their have been some breeds of fish that have been known too fall asleep . like sharks stingrays, but not goldfish their eyes are constantly open they have no eyelids they don't even blink. thank you for playing fish r us

Answer 7

Yes but they haVe no eyelids that close. They float or hover along the bottom and rest to gain strength.

Answer 8

Yes they do they do it with there eyes open though.

Answer 9

yes, with the eyes open

Answer 10

Yes, but they can't close their eyes.