Do Betta Fish Sleep?
 |
Yes, they do sleep. All living animals must sleep to survive. Many Fish will slow down, float or hover in one spot. But Bettas seem to lounge. Many of them will lay down in a “L-Shaped” position (head up, body to the side). Some will look like they are dead. And others will just stay at the top of the water.
Marine Fish, sleep in the day and hunt at night. Their nocturnal predators instinct takes over. But Tropical Fish, tend to be on the same sleep cycle as humans. Sleeping at night. They move around more rapidly in the daylight and slow down considerably at night.
Note: You can actually see a Betta yawn at night. They open their mouth and make the same yawning motions as you would.
fortalina
ronald on 
Cody on 
Betta Fish are what I blog about.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Thanks for posting this information. I just got my fish yesterday and went to go check on him at night and saw him floating at the top of his fish bowl. I thought he had died, but i tapped the glass and he began to swim. Not knowing fish sleep, I thought he was sick or something.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Can fish yawn? I have two girl fish and they seem to get along they dont bang their heads aginst the glass they lay bext to eachother (between the glass) and just act normal does this mean that if i removed the divider they would be alright? Like, not kill eachother?
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I thought my Betta Fish was dead so i got the fish net and tapped him he swam away! I was relieved! But know i now he was sleeping. I feel bad for waking him up because I now that I dont like to be woken up when I’m sleeping.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
My little Maxi has stopped at the bottom of the tank and not moved for a while, so yea I think they do sleep.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:09 am
I was panicking over and over because my betta got ich and I was medicating him with malachite green. I thought he was allergic to it or something b/c i would constantly find him burying his head in the stone and lying there. Even when I tapped the tank he wouldn’t budge. He did this probably 5 times today. The first time I thought he was dead so I tried to get him in the net but he freaked out, much like I do when I get woken up, and started swimming around normally again. Good to know he’s just sleeping. I hope I get rid of this ich, I seriously just got him.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Wow i knew betta fish sleep but i didn’t know they yawn!!!!!thats so interesting!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I am very sure that fish can yawn.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
this fish looks exactly like mine!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:25 am
I got a my fish a month ago and everything was great until it started burying his head under his stones. i was so nerous because ithought he was sick. Thank You So Much for the information. Now I can relax and look out for his yawing.
May 26th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Thanxs so much! I though my poor fish was dead! He would go to the top of the tank and start to turn on his side when I tapped the glass he would start swimming again. Now it’s great to know that he was just sleeping!!!!!!! : )
June 9th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Hello webmaster bees searching for long hair brunette fishnet and found your blog reg a Fish Sleep? ..i have gone through your site… its very informative and useful too.. here we can learn more about marketing online…. will bookmark it and come back for more!
June 21st, 2008 at 3:07 am
I was making fun of my wife when she told me that our Betta (aka son) was sleeping. She called me out of the bathroom one day and to my surprise, I saw the fish sleeping. Not only did I become a believer, I also wondered if they drink water.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
my fish sleeps with its eyes open
July 8th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
now its sleepping with its eyes closed
July 13th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I Love Bubbles and Klaus (there names)
Mine are always so hyper then at night they either float at the top or at the side of the tank or watch movies with me
July 24th, 2008 at 1:50 am
I have to betas Luther and Brock, and I was looking brock and he yawned and I thiught I was going crazy
July 24th, 2008 at 1:51 am
REVISED
I have two betas Luther and Brock, and I was looking brock and he yawned and I thought I was going crazy
August 4th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Thank you so much for telling me my betta, Bubbles is just sleeping. My mom thought she was sleeping but my dad thought he died….I was hoping for the best and was relieved after reading the stories on this website. Thanks again!
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
i neverknew betta fish slept omg
September 30th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
How come the majority of these replies have spelling errors?
Yes, my Betta fish yawns too.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I totally can’t believe it! Ever since I considered the valuable insight above, I was like, “OMG! Mista Fish [that's my boy's name], you do your thing, buddy! I like totally didn’t even know that you needed to catch some zs!”
And it’s SO true that he doesn’t like to be disturbed during his slumberoos. So now I tiptoe rather than tap dance when I know he needs some peace. And besides all THAT, me and Mista [you know, my betta] have SUCH a better scale-to-skin bond. Much thanks and all credit to eBetta.com!!!!
You saved our relationship!
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Miley (my fish) loves to watch hannah montana with me on tv. sometimes i actually see her dancing to the theme song.
miley needs a boyfriend. any takers?…mista?
October 8th, 2008 at 8:35 am
yeah, well i knew fish slept.. but my beta is swimming around UPSIDE DOWN. and just acting kinda normal, but doin everything belly up.. i dont understand….its kinda cool, but scary. anyone had the same happen???
October 9th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
@ Jessi – Sounds like your betta has a swim bladder disorder – he shouldn’t be swimming like that. Try feeding him less.
Research Swim Bladder problem for betta fish to find more info.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Just thought I’d keep you all updated. I’m pretty sure Mista has SBD! I’ve been getting worried about him for about two weeks, when I saw him start slowing down. I kinda FREAKED OUT and made a few plans (you know, prepping for the ol’ flusheroo), but then Timophy I saw your post, and I just KNEW that Mista is destined to live. A bit disappointing, I know, b/c I’m sure some of my friends had already taken off work so they could make it out here for the ceremony, but, hey, they’ll get new jobs. So what if they got fired? I’m sure there’s a kind spirit out there who will hire sincere betta-lovers and understand the necessity of a day off when Mista’s time really comes. And besides, He’s alive now, so what could be better than that? A new tube of toothpaste, maybe, but in general I’d have to say NOTHING.
So here’s to you, Mista, and eBetta, where I know the frequency, intensity, time, and type of work and love I pour into my little guy is appreciated and nurtured. Thank you all. Cheerio.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
This is insane. Mista? Sarah Jo, are you a joke? You love having fun on here I see. There should be blog restrictions. Kelly, you spoke the word truth. Haha
Thank you, though. I did want to know if my fish slept. He is so cute, and I have caught him in the L-shaped position, once, only. He normally just stays at the top, in a corner blowing massive columns of bubbles. Is he horny or happy? Thanks!
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 am
I agree with #20, Kelly. THANK you for noticing that too. I don’t know how people don’t get their homonyms right…
On topic, my betta Jambi sleeps…I used to think he was dead too.
Now I know not to tap on his tank, and sometimes I even turn the light off for him.
: )
February 24th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
i thought my guy, Ruby (i named him that cause i didnt know he was a boy) was dead or something because he was just kind of hanging out at the top of the tank. i tapped saying hello and he didnt move. usually i have him trained whenever i go near the tank, or give little tapping noises, he comes to the top to be fed. he eats betta food and goldfish flakes.
March 4th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
mine keeps hanging out behind the filter or lies on the bottom looking dead.
My last betta lasted 2-1/2 years and never did that. Just took one final nap.
I had an undergravel filter in the old tank, this one has a whisper filter , maybe the current is too strong? I had turned off the filter yesterday and I found him sleeping inside the filter. really freaked me out.
dont have a heater, room temp about 72
April 13th, 2009 at 10:55 am
My betta yawns a iot -but he is always active.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 am
I won’t take up too much time chatting here because i feel like my words will be critiqued because i have a tendency to slaughter the english language.
I adopted a beautiful aqua blue betta recently, and he is so active and happy in his gallon home. He sleeps at the top on the silk leaves and when he sees me enter the room, he comes down and starts swimming all around looking out the side of his home.
My last fish friend died when i accidently let him fall down the garbage disposal while cleaning his home. I felt awful because i could not get him out.
But i said enough, im sure i offended all the english teachers with my rant. Sorry. Love this site.
Bye.
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
Wow…I thought I was mad trippn! Our new addition to the family arrived about two weeks ago, and is already an instant member. Everyday J.J (his name) never fails to astound me with somethinhg new, like tonight. Just now I turned on the light and he was at the bottom of the tank, eyes seem to be bucked a lil more than usual and he would swim then freeze and would continuously repeat that drill. It popped n 2 my dome that he might have been sleep, duh! That’s when I pulled out ol’ faithful google and damned if I wasn’t right . I love our new member. He’s way better than a goldfish.
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Do you sing Rock-a-Bye-Baby to your fish? Try it-it works wonders
May 7th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Okay I am very concerned about sammy. He’s lying on the bottom, breathing but looking dead. Do many of them sleep like that or is he gonna die????
May 12th, 2009 at 1:27 am
I have a betta, and his name is Dave. He loves to sleep. And when ever my friends come over, he is up for it. (they wake him up!)
May 19th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Im excited I just got my Kobemo (my betta fishy) yesterday..I thought Kobemo was dead too…but now reading everyones replies I feel better.. Now im going too see if he yawns..So when arriving home for the first time is it true you have to wait a week before feeding him???
May 24th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
My betta yawned last night and it was the strangest thing! Thanks for letting me know that’s what she’s doing, cause now it’s cute! She also buries herself under the marbles in her tank. Very awesome website, good job!
May 31st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Okk so I just got my fish on thrusday now it’s sunday and I think it’s dead it’s laying at the bottom but I don’t think it’s breathing or anything it won’t move when I tap the bowl and I think the water might be to cold does it sound like it’s dead?!?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:00 am
So I got my boy Moose today, hes a lil charmer I saw him and it was love, and was super curious they slept or not, I did notice that hes been less active the last couple hours, but didnt think too much of it, now I know he was probably sleeping, so gonna stalk on him tonight and see if I can catch him yawning, thats too cute.
June 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Thanks so much , I was kinda wondering last night if Merlot (his name and like the wine) sleeps
June 14th, 2009 at 4:57 am
My snuggles (don’t judge me) would just be dormante for different periods of time, but than I googled ” do beta fish sleep” and I got this awsome forum. It makes me happy to know that my snuggles doesn’t have to go down the drain like his brother sir christopher of danbury. Also I think my fish knows who I am because when ever im near his tank and just talking, he gives me his full blown attention, and actually follows my movements across the room.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
This site is great. I came into my room this morning and found my Betta (Lil Man) at the bootom in one spot. I thought for a moment that he was dead or something was seriously wrong. I told my mom that something was wrong with my fish. She came and took a look and said maybe it was sleep but to do a check list and conduct research on the web about my fish for more informed knowledge. As stated, she told me that he might be sleep since fish do sleep. He is now swimming again and I am glad. Boy was I worried for a moment. Peace out fish Betta buds.
June 18th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I have four bettas, Chunky, Clunky, Harvey and Schwazey, and was like freaking out when I saw my beautiful Chunky not moving! He looked like he was ready to die, and I tapped on the bowl and he came back to life! Thanks for informing me that he was only sleeping!! Now I can leave him to peace and quiet when he needs it
June 20th, 2009 at 5:20 am
That is asweom because I didin’t know that they sleep at night COOL.Thanks about the imformation.
June 29th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
My betta like to dead sleep when l don’t disturb him, it scared me once l thought he’s dead, suddenly jumping upside down. hihihihi..he let me touch him and play dancing when he saw me..so cute!
July 15th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
My betta fish actually lies down in the bottom of his aquarium…
OMG i got so scared i started tapping the aquarium and i started screaming fishy fishy Wake up u can’t be dead!!!!!and he woke up…thx
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Do betta fish need to sleep in the dark? I have the kind of heat lamp for my tank that doubles as a light and I am afraid to turn it off for him. He is my desk-buddy at work so I leave the light on overnight. Should I be turning it off at any point? While I’m at work? Overnight? I don’t want him to have trouble sleeping!
July 24th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I went upstairs to the computer late one evening. I noticed my daughters betta fish looked like it was dead. I began to tap on the glass -no response. I then thought of the ways I would have to call my daughter,tomorrow, at camp to tell her her betta took a loss. I tapped on the glass again the betta moved slightly. I then figured the water was not the correct temperature. It was slightly cloudy and unclear. I changed the water the betta still was half awake or something. It squirmed enough to swim into the small cup. I then transferred the betta to another gallon fish bowl that I had been sitting with water for three days. I was nervous when I saw the betta slightly active. I then noticed it kept getting a slight burst of energy to swim -I was really petrified. I put about two flakes in the water. The betta hardly moved. I then went to my goggle and web search and found out that the betta was sleep. It definately looked like it was OVER. I notice that the betta is at the top of the water in a corner taking a eight count and motionless. It is sleep so I had better get some sleep as well. Thanks for your comments. Now I know. I was ready to either add some table salt to the water or some of that green or blue coloring to revive my daughters fish.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
omg i just got Bubbles today and i always see him at the top
of his tank not moving it freaked me out butt reading all these
comments makes me feel sooooo much better
July 28th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I love my betta I just got him today so I havent seen how he sleeps but I did see aqua yawn it was so funny and cute but ill keep in touch to tell you how he sleeps
August 22nd, 2009 at 4:00 am
can betta fish be put with other kind of fish?
September 10th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I am up at 3am with my son who is wondering.. by coincidence if his beta fish slept. Now he expresses concern that I will be cyberly attacked by others for posting. Imagine! !! Hmm.. Well, after reading all this my impression is that fish owners deserve to feel a sense of belonging. It seems mean to critique others comments for grammaticial erraors. You should feel gill-ty!
September 14th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
i dont know whats wrong with my “NinjaRambo” my betta
because he drinks alot of water and he’s always angry can you help me?
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Mine is 3yrs old and has learned to beat my cats at “who eats who”, a Maine Coon, a Himalayan, and a Tabby are all baffled and frustrated that this fish is faster and smarter than they are. She actually teases them. She has a cup which is clear glass, and the cats can’t see it. She can, and uses it to make them try to climb in after her, then she nips their noses… pretty wily. She’s old, so I am probably going to have to add to the bowl, hopefully the next one is as creative!
October 26th, 2009 at 2:43 am
oh thats a relef i thot mine was sick or dead but no. he just stoped swiming and sat at the bottom
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
My bettas have orniments they crawl in, then they use them as beds!
January 16th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Can I just say I enjoyed reading this so I don’t feel like I am so crazy for LOVING my betta fish and talking to it and giving it a name, and finding out I am not the only loser that googled “Do betta fish sleep?”
January 17th, 2010 at 2:31 am
We just got four bettas and one is moving around much more than the others. Glad to know maybe his water is warmer!
February 1st, 2010 at 3:58 am
omg i thought my new betta(bubbles) was dead right now but then i taped on the tank and she was alive so thanks for helping me out
February 6th, 2010 at 3:52 am
heeeeey
February 6th, 2010 at 3:53 am
this i slike awsome i love bettas i have one named sammy! LOL
February 6th, 2010 at 3:53 am
this is awsome lol ok
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:18 am
i just bought my betta fish earlier today and during the day he was fine and swimming around. later on tonight i noticed he was at the bottom of his tank and he wasn’t moving. i tapped on the glass numerous times and he still wasn’t moving and i started panicking. i thought he was dead. i ran down the hall to my friend’s dorm to get her to help me with him, because she had bought one with me. i was afraid the temperature of the water was too cold but hers was the same and her fish was fine. she tapped him with a net and he swam away. betta’s definitely do sleep though? if that’s true then that will ease my mind.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
So many tattoos to choose from. I search the net looking for the best pictures! Great site!
April 11th, 2010 at 3:58 am
MY BETTA IS ATTACHED TO THE SIDES OF THE BOWL AND WONT GET AWAY FROM IT..ALSO MY FISH LOVES WATCHING TV AND HE KNOWS WHEN A COMMERCIAL IS AND WHEN TS BACK ITS FUNNY.. CAN ANY ONE HELP ME
April 13th, 2010 at 11:20 am
i SAW 1 AT THE PETSTORE SLEEPING
April 14th, 2010 at 1:30 am
WOW im finally relieved because he always does that
April 14th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
my bettas sleep by just satying still in the water
April 25th, 2010 at 3:18 am
wow thx i have never seen my fish sleep umm can you tell me how they sleep
April 28th, 2010 at 1:28 am
i get extra credit for this thank you so much!!!!!
April 30th, 2010 at 11:47 am
i also have a betta fish who sleep and yawn a lot every night..sometimes i envy my fish, because, at least he sleeps regularly…..as for me …i have insomnia..
April 30th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
anyway, at least he is healthy…
May 2nd, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Bettas do sleep, since they don’t have eyelids the have to sleep with there eyes open.
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
my betta fish sleep all the time
May 22nd, 2010 at 2:10 am
Relieved to know that Betta fish sleep, because I thought my fish was dead, it was laying on top of the tree like it was dead, good thing there is google because I was about to flush it down the toilet.
June 18th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
I am SO releaved to read this. My fish lies in the hole of this rock i got him, and will just lay there. I thought Ebony was dying before. Another thing though, is it normal for a fish to go to the top of the water and let out a bubble? Oh, and what about after eating a food pellet, to spit it back out and then eat it again? PLZ let me know!
June 25th, 2010 at 7:38 am
ya i just got my betta fish today with my mom i named mine bentley the other one dosn’t have a name but thanks for the information i was was woried!! i just got them today they swim alot, mine is a boy my moms is a girl i thought the purple one might be dead because it was at the bottom doing nothing but this help thanks.
July 25th, 2010 at 1:25 am
I got my second fish today! Out of nowhere i asked my mom if they slept and she didn’t know. Then I asked almost everyone in the house and NONE OF THEM NEW!!! Later my Mom suggested to Google it so I did. Now i know and I’m relieved!!!!
July 25th, 2010 at 1:27 am
HEE HEE HEE HEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 25th, 2010 at 1:40 am
I named my fish Rainbow because it is SO colorful and pretty
July 26th, 2010 at 2:11 am
My fish also likes to blow bubbles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 30th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
i got a new fish yesterday. he is a blue crowntail male betta. i ended up naming him steve. i was a little worried that he was dying because he was all sluggish and didnt move much. when i got him from petco he was the only one moving around alot. then i saw him floating around the bottom in one of the plants i got him. i thought he was dead. of course as a paranoid pet owner. i replaced his water. that got rid of the sluggishness. but he still continued to just chill out around the rocks. i thought he was dying because i figured that since fish didnt have eye lids he was dead. then i found this link, and now little steve is swimming around hapilly.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
i got a betta fish 2 weeks ago and he died just an hour ago. i cant figure out why! im 15 and am not in school right now. (its summer) i havent cleaned his 1/2 gallon tank yet. but it didnt look cloudy or dirty or anything. i feed him once a week. and he wouldnt respond to me when i got out his food. i even tried bloodworms and all the junk that people never shut up about! he is dead now and he is sitting at the top of his bowl. he smells and i tried poking him and i even grabbed him and shook him around in my hand. i dont know why he died. i wasnt very attachted to him. he was the youngest one at the pet store. i need help i want to know what happened to this dumb little thing. why did he die? can anyone help?
August 5th, 2010 at 3:49 am
My betta Gilly Ray Cyrus would never move my mom said he was sleeping but i didnt believe her now i feel a lot better.
August 20th, 2010 at 9:35 am
My bubba(bubz for short) is a pretty vain fighter fish. Once in awhile I will put a mirror by his little tank and he’ll just look at himself the whole time. He’ll just keep swimming. He’ll check his own profile out and then he’ll switch to the other side and start swimming the other way so that he can see his other side. Maybe he’s unhappy about his noticeably large overbite. He’ll just stay in that corner where the mirror is and calmly just admire himself. La-tee-da..No fast fin action or anything! This is my third betta. Last two always flared up like there was no tomorrow and wanted to fight itself in the mirror mad with rage! But bubz my new guy is ok with the mirror from the very beginning. I usually leave the mirror up for like 5 mins and then take down. He just lights up when gets to see himself again. He seriously stares at himself he’s super vain. Do u guys think he knows that it’s himself or is he just lonely and needs a friend? Haha or maybe I’m the lonely loser here…I can’t I believe I just wrote an entire essay…
Ps- I love my bubz
August 20th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Bubz sleeps like a slob on his side at the top of the tank.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I’ve actually found my fish, Edward, napping nestled inside the leaves of his decorative plant. He usually keeps a pretty consistent sleep schedule–and I always turn out the light on his aquarium at the same time every night. I’ve never seen him yawn, though. He just got over a case of tail rot and so I almost had a heart attack when I finally noticed him sleeping the other day. (He usually either sleeps on his side or with his mouth pointed at the top of the tank.) Then I remembered that Betta sleep, we just don’t always notice it because they sleep at roughly the same time we do.
October 21st, 2010 at 6:23 pm
My betta (c’est aka son) is the best betta in the world. he is all blue and swims all around the tank every day, plus hes a pig. I have him in a 20 gallon tank with 5 little tetras so that they have plenty of room to swim around.
xoxoxoxox
November 11th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I just got my betta fish(kenny) yesterday I love him already
I didn’t know he slept I didn’t know what he was doing now I know thanks everyone
December 24th, 2010 at 3:31 am
I am SO thankful that Jaws isn’t dead. He sleeps at the night & is up really early in the morning. He sleeps on his side & then a few minutes later he goes to the top of the tank, opens his mouth and comes back down. It can’t be because he is hungry. I feed him 3 times a week 4 pellets. Jaws is a very lazy fish.
December 25th, 2010 at 2:24 am
Today my dear Jaws died! He was bought at petco and well all he would do is sleep he got caugfht in the filter & died
December 25th, 2010 at 2:28 am
:’(
December 30th, 2010 at 5:06 am
i barely got this a i named him tommy and i got him betta food got it and then he spit it out i also got a 2 male they stared to fight and my other one died his name was timmy
in memory of timmy R.I.P
December 31st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I just got my new betta yesterday. He is a royal blue crowntail, and has my 10 gallon tank all to himself. He can see his reflection in the walls and he’ll flare up at it. I’m just worried because I was told that this can wear betta fish out? Any advice?
Back on topic. I noticed that he will just stop moving for a little while on the bottom, and I figure he’s sleeping, but he doesn’t sleep very long because the next time I look at him and he’s bolting around the tank? Is that how they sleep?
January 10th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
My betta’s name is Lenny and he’s my bestfriend I have had him for almost two years and I always see him yawn I think it’s pretty cool, but something that worries me about him is I feed him the pellets ever since I Got him he eats them like a pig! But sometimes they get stuck in his mouth and he can’t swallow them and he like sgiggles around the tank trying to get it out this happened today actually and I was scared cause he kept coming up for oxygen so much I thought he was gonna die
but he hit his face in the gravel now he’s all fine 
and actually right next to me
January 16th, 2011 at 3:39 am
thanks this helped alot because i just got my fish tonight and i went in there and he was not moving thin i tapped on the glass and he woke up =)
January 21st, 2011 at 6:36 am
I am happy I found your site because I flushed my Betta (Rosie) down the toilet after I woke up this afternoon. I was just about to feed Rosie when I found him floating straight up. I knocked on the tank but he definitely appeared dead. He did not move when I scooped him up. I was very sad but he definitely appeared gone. He was the second one I bought since Saturday and today is Thursday. I returned the first one when he would not eat and began looking sluggish, so thinking he was dying I returned it and got Rosie. I bought a second Betta (Blue Boy) because he’s blue. He is always very active and tonight he’s moving very slow, coming to the surface often and blowing bubbles. I thought he was coming up for air. I was about to panic, assuming I was about to lose him also I turned to the internet and found this site. Thank God I did because I was preparing myself for another toilet burial. It’s good to find out he’s just sleeping as he is spending more time at the bottom near his rock or at the surface.
January 30th, 2011 at 7:49 am
I have a betta, his name is Optimus Prime. No kidding
He was at the BOTTOM of the tank, MOTIONLESS, and a glassy look in his eye…I freaked out and tapped the glass, relieving to see tiny fins move and his top-fin retract a bit. I didn’t know what was wrong so I used google and found this. I sure hope OP isn’t mad 
Glad to know he’s ok.
February 5th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Thank you for posting this, I caught my betta fish, Indigo, going up to the surface from time to time and I thought he was dying. I just got him yesterday and I didn’t want him to die.
February 27th, 2011 at 5:45 am
I just got my betta (2pac) a couple days ago and he sleeps a lot. Is there something I can do to make life more exciting for him?
March 16th, 2011 at 1:17 am
I’m fish sitting for a friend and I thought her fish was dead so I started freaking out. Now I feel alot better about sushi.[Thats the fishes name!]
March 18th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Once,I saw my fish Prince at the top of the tank that was new for me cause he’s always swimming around alot.So I taped on the glass and he did NOT move at all.So I opened the lid and grabbed my net and tuched him,he got super mad and swam away.That day i felt bad because I knew he needed sleep just like us,maybe there not that different:):):).
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Thank you so much i was starting to Panic Phew im so glad i never knew they sleep i thought my 2 Yasua and Hikaru were dieing Thanks Again C:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I just got my new buddy “Roy” a coupla days ago and he seems to be doing well! it took me a minute ti figure out that he eats VERY little! He’ll literally eat one freeze-dried pebble at a time as I drop it in for him! I was concerned that he wasn’t getting enuff to eat but he is happy with this arrangement! He’s a cool little guy who is very curious! I really dig the fact that he has such a unique personality!! Now — His water became cloudy almost immediately! What should I do to stop this? Are live plants important? He is named after Roy Orbison coz’ he has a black body w/ cobalt blue fins! He’s just really a cool little guy!
March 30th, 2011 at 4:01 am
I was so scared that my fish was dying! I got it a few hours ago and his fins just sort of folded up and he kept floating to the top. i feel bad for disturbing him but I was afraid that I had done something wrong!
April 5th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I accidently / on – purpose woke my little buddy, Roy, up the other day and I really felt bad!! he was just happily snoozin’ and i thought he was DEAD!!!!
Anyway, I learned that he sleeps by accident but @ least I learned! the good news is that he’ll be able to snooze comfortably now when he wants to!
April 9th, 2011 at 1:21 am
My betta, Toshiro (Japanese name since he is all red w/ all white fins like the Japanese flag), LOVES to rest on the 3 big stones in his tank. He really likes those stones & circles them & hides behind them. He sleeps right in the middle of the stones and when I come close to see him, he swims up to me everytime! So cute. I didn’t know I would like having a fish this much
Sometimes when I come in the room, he starts to swim to the top & I think he knows it’s feeding time? haha.
April 9th, 2011 at 4:07 am
Thanks so much! I was afraid Sarge ( my betta fish) was dead.
Glad to know he’s just sleeping! Night night, Sarge!
May 8th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
i got a betta fish a couple mothes ago nd a couple nights after i got him, blueberry( his name) was i think dead so the next day my mom took him to the pet shop nd i got another one but before my mom left the store keper said blueberry was jus sleeping but anyway i got another betta fish named purreblue. i named him tht because he was purple red nd blue so one night i saw purreblue yawning i said wow then he swam to the bottom of the tank nd i thoght he was dead but then i said ill give him some time then i went on dis website nd i said wow i didnt now fish an sleep so now tht i now tht il b more carful nd will b paisent
May 17th, 2011 at 1:39 am
I bought a Betta for my kids because it is the only pet we can handle.we let him watch blues clues and Garfield DVDs but he did seem too lethargic to me.Now I know he is asleep thanks to you guys. Also,bettas are survivors.my car wash service station has one for years and trust me they barely feed it or clean the tank!!
May 25th, 2011 at 2:53 am
i got a batta fish to day so i whanted to now and fire is not sleeping yet .
May 30th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Do betta female fish sometimes sleep in a L shape but head down? I just got my fish last night and now she is in the corner of the tank leaned on the side head down.
July 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 pm
I got my betta fish(bubbles) today and he was just lying on the floor and I was so freakin scared then he was just floating at the top so I stuck my hand in the tank and touched him and he spassed out so I read the comments and I was soooooo relieved!!!
September 5th, 2011 at 11:10 am
thank god
i thiknk my fish is lazy it has been doing that since i got it
my is names Sir Sharky Junior as it is small Sir S.J for short
September 8th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Hey Guys! I need help, My betta has its head down but its in an L shape. It moves around while it does that.. but when I look over it goes up . Is that how they sleep?? Beautiful is my best friend I dont want to lose him (yes its a him) . But yeah. It has its head down. Is it because the water is too cold?
September 19th, 2011 at 2:46 am
I have a 1/2 gal tank as my new betta’s temporary home, I was assured by the associate at petco that this tank could serve as a permanent home, but it doesn’t have a heater and it just seems rather small to force my betta to live in all the time. This is my first night with him, and the water temperature seems colder than earlier and my fish isn’t moving much at all. I’m really scared that he’s going into shock because of his cold water and not just sleeping.
September 19th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
if bettas are fighting fish why did my gold fish eat it
September 21st, 2011 at 5:23 am
I had a betta, much like the one in the pic above. I went away for the weekend and when I got home, Sparky really was dead. I tapped the tank, I got the net and checked him out. No movement at all. I was in tears. I live alone and had no one to check on him. I never saw Sparky yawn. That would have been interesting to see. I won’t get another one for awhile b/c I travel a lot. Instead I have 2 Gold Fantails (Chuck & Jack) their nicknames are Little J & Chuckles. I drop a block of food in their tank and they are fine for the weekend. But I didn’t know about the “sleeping” info. That was very informative. I knew that my babies slept, but never watched. I know that they get excited whenever I walk into my bedroom. They like feeding time. I talk to them often b/c they are all I have. I can’t have a cat in my apartment. When I move out, I will get a companion & of course I’ll keep my fish. I have another tank and would like to have warm water fish, like the algae eaters. Thanks for everyone’s comments. Stay cool.
September 30th, 2011 at 6:58 am
Quick question that has NOTHING to do with L shapes or sleeping…
I got my betta a month ago and it is unique
It is a pinky, yellowy whitish colour, with blue eyes and and glowing blue bits at the tips of his pelvic fins and on top of his gills (it’s not anything bad)
IS HE UNIQUE? ?
September 30th, 2011 at 6:59 am
soz in my last comment i ment to say ‘is it unique’ not ‘it is unqiue’
btw great website
October 10th, 2011 at 3:04 am
my fish Jeremiah sleeps when i go to bed so when i turn off the lights i can see him curl up on the bottom or go into the big white top that i used as a type of cave for him, i think its so addorable( i can see him because my laptop is always on and it is just enough light to see him float to the bottom of the tank and curl up). also i noticed when he yawned tooo lmbo i was like AWWWWWWWWW and i threw a little treat in his tank for him, im such a softy for the cute and adorable, he’s my third kid (the only one thats actually breathes because my other two are guitars lol). i have four in total(the 4th is my bonsai tree, totosai) Charlie(acoustic), Sophie (purple electric) Jeremiah(male betta), and Totosai(bonsai) we are such a happy family. but i have a troubling question for me atleast, what are the signs of that tail rot disease?
December 19th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
haley…. its not good for ur fish to have its eyes closed. sorry :/