Where Do Puffer Fish Sleep? {5 Puffer Fish Sleep Stories}

Are you wondering if your puffer fish sleeps? Where and how do puffer fish sleep? In this article, we’ll discuss if puffer fish sleep and how to tell if they are actually sleeping.

Where Do Puffer Fish Sleep? Puffer fish sleep motionless near the surface of the tank or more likely at the bottom. They become unresponsive to stimuli and their gills move very slowly.

It’s hard to tell without close eyelids, but they are sleeping. Let’s hear some puffer fish sleep stories, but let’s also try to not wake them up. Shh!

Do All Puffer Fish Sleep The Same Way?

No at all! This is where it gets fun to read along with us in this article and see how each puffer fish differs from the other when it comes to sleeping.

Although it’s common for puffer fish to sleep at the bottom of the tank, this isn’t a must. Some sleep closer to the surface of the tank or in hiding places.

Do Puffer Fish Sleep In Plants?

Puffer Fish #1

This puffer fish likes to sleep at the bottom of the tank, but prefers the back corner. This is where the plants are located. The plants provide shelter, oxygen and a hiding place.

Although there aren’t any tankmates, the puffer fish doesn’t want to be disturbed. It could be that it doesn’t want you to see it sleeping.

When you arrive in the room, it is up and at it and you don’t even know if your puffer fish has even slept. The truth is, it has.

Do Puffer Fish Sleep Out In The Open?

Puffer Fish #2

This puffer fish has plenty of spaces to hide and that gives it comfort. Knowing that there are hiding places and actually using them are two different things.

The tank is spacious at 100 gallons for one medium sized puffer fish and it likes to sleep out in the open. The gills slow down and the fins barely move. This puffer fish swims and floats in the middle of the tank or at the surface.

Knowing it can hide is great. Knowing it can sleep anywhere and quickly dart over to a hiding place if necessary, is even better.

Do Puffer Fish Sleep In the Middle Of The Tank?

Puffer Fish #3

This strange little puffer fish has found a way to stick to the corners of the tank at mid-level. It has another puffer fish tankmate who is more traditional and prefers to sleep at the bottom of the tank.

The desire for more space in a 75 gallon tank is still present even though both puffer fish are small. This particular puffer fish sticks to the corner and sleeps there with gentle fluttering fins and a motionless body.

Puffer fish secrete more mucus than many other fish. This mucus could be helping it stick to the sides or corners of the tank during bedtime.

Do Puffer Fish Sleep In The Substrate?

Puffer Fish #4

This puffer fish likes to dig. It will dig a hole in the gravel and lie in there. The hole resembles a trench to provide comfort and safety during a night’s rest.

Puffer fish can dig well enough to bury their entire body in the sand. They can even change color as camouflage to blend in with the gravel or sand. You may see its bulgy eyes sticking out, but the rest of it is nice and snug in the substrate.

Should I Get A Cave For My Puffer Fish To Sleep In?

Puffer Fish #5

A shy puffer fish sleeping in a cave is awakened by its favorite human. It gently tosses up some gravel and pushes its way out. The body of this puffer fish is darker due to camouflaging itself with the color of the cave.

Puffer fish may also darken up when there are no lights present. Soon after, it’s back to normal and swimming gracefully with vibrant color. The cave is located near the heating tubes, making it very comfortable during the long and dark night alone.

Caves
Rocks
Driftwood
Plants
Pipes
Decorations

Puffer fish will enjoy sleeping or hiding in these places listed above.

Is My Puffer Fish Sleeping Or Resting?

We can get stuck in semantics, but the resting you notice is practically the same as sleeping. Movements slow down or stop. Your puffer fish is conserving energy. Sleeping resembles resting when we can’t see their eyelids closing.

Either way, your puffer fish is getting the rest it deserves. This is a time for their immune systems to recover and strengthen after a long day of swimming, eating and digesting.

Do Puffer Fish Sleep On Their Side?

No, your puffer fish prefers to sleep upright. Upright sleeping is common for most fish species. Tuna or sharks don’t sleep and need to move around to keep breathing. Puffer fish slow down and relax.

Their gills stop moving as much, but you can see its rhythmic pace steadying and slowing down. If your puffer fish is sleeping on its side, this is a cause for concern. A puffer fish that is ill or dying tend to lie on its side. We hope this is not the case.

Conclusion

Puffer fish sleep even if you aren’t around to notice it. They can tell sometimes when you’ve entered the room and perk up right away. You can record the tank if you want, but puffer fish are sleeping when they are motionless with their fins barely moving.

Goodnight Puffer fish!

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