Gina Johnson
Betta fish do sleep, but their sleep patterns are different from those of humans and other mammals. They sleep in short bursts throughout the night and don't sleep for extended periods due to their territorial nature. Bettas may appear still, floating, or resting in various positions during their sleep, and they don't have a preference for where in the tank they sleep, as long as they feel safe. They can be found sleeping in or on tank ornaments, laying on aquarium plants, nestled into the tank substrate, or even just floating in place. Bettas don't have eyelids, so their eyes remain open during sleep, and they may lose colour when sleeping, possibly as a defence mechanism to make them less visible to predators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep schedule | Similar to humans |
| Sleep duration | Short bursts of about 20 minutes |
| Sleep frequency | Every day |
| Sleep position | Floating, on their side, upside down, buried in substrate, etc. |
| Sleep location | Wherever they feel safe, e.g. tank ornaments, aquarium plants, tank substrate, or even out of the water |
| Sleep cycle | Need a light/dark cycle with 12-16 hours of darkness |
| Circadian rhythm | Interrupted by abnormal light cycles |
| Sleep disturbances | Stress, abnormal temperatures, old age, boredom, disease |
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What You'll Learn
Bettas sleep in short bursts
Betta fish do sleep, but they have a very different sleep pattern to humans. They sleep in short bursts of around 20 minutes at a time, and they don't sleep for extended periods because they are territorial and don't want to be caught off-guard. They are very light sleepers and will rest in short bursts, but the exact amount of sleep they need is unknown.
Bettas sleep throughout the night, and they can sleep during the day, too. They like to sleep in places where they feel safe, and they don't have a preference for where in the tank that is. You might find them sleeping in or on tank ornaments, lying on aquarium plants, nestled into the substrate, or even floating in place. Bettas don't have eyelids, so their eyes remain open while they sleep. They may lose their colour when sleeping, but they will rapidly regain it when they wake up.
Bettas need a light/dark cycle, with 12-16 hours of darkness per day. They are light sleepers, so it's best not to disturb them when they are sleeping. If you do, it will take them a long time to feel safe in their aquarium again.
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Bettas don't sleep for long periods
Bettas sleep using a light schedule, so darkness signals bedtime and daylight signals awake time. They need a consistent schedule of 8-12 hours of light per day. If they get too much light, they can become stressed due to a lack of sleep. Bettas are light sleepers, and you may notice the occasional fluttering of fins while they sleep. When they enter a deep sleep, their breathing will become very slow.
Bettas sleep in various positions, and each fish may have its own preferred sleeping position and location. They may sleep on their side, upside down, or buried in the substrate. They may also sleep in or on tank ornaments, on aquarium plants, nestled into the tank substrate, or even just floating in place. Bettas don't have eyelids, so their eyes remain fully open when they sleep. They may lose colour when sleeping but will rapidly regain it when they awaken.
Bettas choose where to sleep based on where they feel safe. In their natural habitat of rice paddies, they like to hide among the leaves of plants or find caves. If your betta has a preferred spot, try to keep that area the same to build normalcy and routine, even when changing out other tank decor.
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Bettas sleep with their eyes open
Bettas do sleep, and they do so with their eyes open. They don't have eyelids, so their eyes remain fully open even when they're sleeping.
Bettas sleep in short bursts throughout the night, and they don't sleep for extended periods due to their territorial nature. They may appear still, floating, or resting in various positions during their sleep. Each betta may have its own preferred sleeping positions and locations, so it's a good idea to observe their behaviour and provide suitable resting spots.
Bettas can burrow into the substrate, lay on one side, float, or vertically float with their head down while sleeping. They don't have a preference for where in the tank they sleep, as long as they feel safe. Bettas might sleep in or on tank ornaments, lay on aquarium plants, nestle into the tank substrate, or even just float in place.
If you're a new betta owner, it might take a few days for your fish to settle into normal behaviour. If your betta is sleeping, try not to disturb it with your movement. Poking a betta while it's sleeping will startle it awake and activate its flight or fight response. It might take a long time for your betta to feel safe in its aquarium again after being disturbed.
Bettas need a light/dark cycle with darkness being 50-67% of the time (12-16 hours) to get proper rest. In other words, if you have aquarium lights, you should turn them off at night so as not to interrupt your betta's circadian rhythm.
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Bettas may lose colour when sleeping
Bettas are territorial by nature, so they sleep in short bursts throughout the night. They do not sleep for extended periods, and they do not have eyelids, so their eyes remain open during sleep. Bettas may sleep in a variety of positions, such as floating vertically with their head down, or laying on their side. They may also sleep in odd places, such as behind the filter intake pipe.
Bettas need a light/dark cycle with darkness for 50-67% of the time (12-16 hours) to get proper rest. They are light sleepers and will rest in short bursts, with the exact amount of sleep they need being unknown.
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Bettas sleep wherever they feel safe
Bettas are known to sleep wherever they feel safe. They do not have a preference for where in the tank they sleep, as long as they feel secure. Bettas are territorial and semi-aggressive, so it is important to choose the right tank mates to ensure they feel safe enough to fall asleep.
Bettas have been observed sleeping in or on tank ornaments, lying on aquarium plants, nestled into the tank substrate, or even just floating in place. Some betta owners provide a betta log, live plants, or a leaf hammock to create a comfortable sleeping area for their fish. If you notice your betta sleeping during the day, it may indicate a stressor at night that should be addressed.
Bettas may also sleep "out of the water" if the aquarium plants are close to the surface of the water. This is because bettas are labyrinth fish and can breathe air. However, they cannot do this for long and must stay moist while above the water.
In their natural habitat of rice paddies, bettas enjoy hiding among the leaves of plants or finding caves. If your betta has a favourite spot, try to keep that area consistent to establish a sense of normalcy and routine, even when changing other tank decor.
Bettas have unique sleeping habits and may surprise their owners by choosing unexpected sleeping spots. Some bettas have been known to sleep behind the filter intake pipe or even at the bottom of the tank. It is important to observe their behaviour and provide suitable resting spots to ensure they get the rest they need.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, betta fish do sleep. They sleep in short bursts throughout the night and may appear still, floating, or resting in various positions.
Your betta fish may be sleeping if it is being extremely still, floating, or laying in one spot. Bettas become very still when they sleep, but their eyes stay open because they do not have eyelids.
The exact amount of sleep betta fish need is unknown, but they rest in short bursts of about 20 minutes at a time. Bettas need a light/dark cycle with darkness being 50-67% of the time (12-16 hours).
Betta fish do not have a preference for where in the tank they sleep, as long as they feel safe. They might sleep in or on tank ornaments, on aquarium plants, nestled into the tank substrate, or even just floating in place. Bettas may also sleep "out of the water" if the aquarium plants are close to the surface of the water, as they are labyrinth fish and can breathe air.
Bettas can sleep in a variety of positions, including on their side, upside down, or buried in substrate. They may also sleep vertically with their head down.
