fish sleep?

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

I cannot believe im asking this question and think i know the answer, but do fish sleep, they have no eyelids that cannot close, and therfore cannot sleep right? they just rest but do not actually sleep, is that correct answer, thanks in advance guys, if that is the case thats so strange, ive been fishing my whoile life but havent thought about bass not sleeping like most animals

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

Not like humans do, but the do take regular rests, some choosing nights, other days. They probably use the time for digesting to cease from activity, but are always aware of danger, unlike most warm blooded animals and humans. Maybe motion triggers an alarm through the always open eyes or lateral lines. I've walked up on a small group of sleeping deer, right up to a sleeping coyote pack, and onto many other sleeping animals, but never have encountered a bass that remained motionless when approached too closely.

Jim

[Shakes]

same way a snake does. No eyelids, doesnt matter. They still sleep. They just do it with their eyes open the whole time so it appears they're not.

[Keithscatch]

Of course they do. I used to have numerous bass in fish tanks over the years and when they were asleep they would be lethargic as heck and would be very reluctant to move. ONly when you touched them would they move. They basically just settle down at the bottom and rest. I noticed their colorations also changed at night. They would get pale colored.

You can really learn allot observing fish in fish tanks. I hope to get another aquarium some day. But the one I want can't be purchased in a store. It has to be made custom.

[cpvenom]

One thing I find very cool is parrotfish in the ocean. As the sun sets, they begin making a mucus cocoon around them to protect their scent from attracting predators as they sleep.

[JiggaMan512]

thats interesting cpvenom. i didnt know that. thanks for the pic too

[Troutfisher]

Of course they do. I used to have numerous bass in fish tanks over the years and when they were asleep they would be lethargic as heck and would be very reluctant to move. ONly when you touched them would they move. They basically just settle down at the bottom and rest. I noticed their colorations also changed at night. They would get pale colored.

I have one person that always informs me that fish cannot sleep, and that minnows are not actually fish.  This drives me absolutely crazy, as neither of these are true!!!  

Nah, fish sleep.  Keithscratch nailed this one on the head.

[Minuteman]

That is it! I've finally done it and started to turn into a fish. I sleep less and less each year. By the time I'm 60, I won't even need a bed. More room for tools and tackle.

I know my son is a member here, so don't tell your mother about this! ;D

[fishingJ]

There are some humands that sleep with there eyes open to.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

And there are some humans that sleep with the fishes Anyone see Jimmy Hoffa around ?????????

[captgene]

I fished a cove today for 2 hours without a bite, and I could swear I heard snooring !

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

;D  Well then, solve the bite problem by eating a sandwich, and carry an alarm clock to wake up.

BTW, we're talking about bass sleeping like mammals do.  Consider a bass during the spawn. He guards the bed non-stop, trying to protect eggs and later, if eggs survive, the fry. If an animal can sleep, it would require sleep, and most do that. But if a bass can go weeks without sleep and survive it, it doesn't require sleep.

I've read results of some tank studies, some not accurate concerning bass in the wild. It wouldn't take long for a tank bass to lose fear of predators, also then losing acuteness of rest. If bass actually slept in the wild we should be able to just grab them like you can right now go grab a whitetail fawn deep in sleep. Ask a spear fisherman how easy that is. It doesn't happen. Appearing to be asleep, bass won't let you get that close, backing off constantly as approached, or swimming away.

Jim

[Raul]

And there are some humans that sleep with the fishes Anyone see Jimmy Hoffa around ?????????

Man you gotta love that sense of humor !  

[Keithscatch]

Some interesting links:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99047.htm

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0854907.html

Here is an excerpt from a site:

How fish rest.  Like all animals, fish need rest. Many species have periods of what might be called sleep. Others simply remain inactive for short periods. But even at rest, many fish continue to move their fins to keep their position in the water.

Fish have no eyelids, and so they cannot close their eyes when sleeping. But while asleep, a fish is probably unaware of the impressions received by its eyes. Some fish sleep on the bottom, resting on their belly or side. Other species sleep in midwater, in a horizontal position.

It is here if you want to read more:

http://www.sportsmanschoice.com/A%20Note%20Worth%20Reading/fish.htm

[Raul]

Animals like dolphins have a very interesting way of sleeping, half of their brain shuts down while the other half remains active.

[captgene]

I've fished  next to many people with half a brain so I gotta go with that being true.

[Siebert Outdoors]

And there are some humans that sleep with the fishes Anyone see Jimmy Hoffa around ?????????

I was told he is in one of the pillars in the stadium where the pistons play.  He was always a pistons fan. Thats acording to some of the folks in Detroit.

I use to have a pirahna and he slept alot.  He would hover down at the bottom of the tank in a corner or next to the helmet and sleep.  The only movement would be his fins flicking to keep him upright.  His breathing even slowed down.  

[Tom Bass]

Raul,

That might explain why Bureaucrats do what they do.... ;D