is my fish sleeping or dying?

[leslie]

I have a male beta fish. He lies around motionless. Is he sleeping or is it something else?

 

[Ryan V]

It could be, but i need more information, like what he looks like at the moment.

 

[smalltownpartygirl46290]

fish dont sleep they rest by holding still but they do not sleep if they sleep they drown they need water to pass through their gills to get oxygen

 

[kim]

Well I wouldn't panic and think he's dying. Bettas are unlike most fish in that they can breath air. So, most fish swim around because it's easier for them to send water through their gills, but bettas don't necessarily have to do that. On the other hand, I wouldn't say he's healthy. Healthy bettas are usually cruising around the top of the tank making a bubble nest. You can use the bubbles as a really good indicator as to if he's healthy of not. Try changing his water a little more often and see if that gives him a little jump start.

 

[Baby Britt]

it depends: do you sleep as long as he has been "sleeping"?

 

[Edgar W]

He's not sleeping. Your betta fish is probably depressed, and he would probably be happier if you put another fish bowl next to him, put a mirror next to him, or got him a larger tank.