Guppies like us require regular sleep in order to conserve energy. It is important that you don’t leave the lights on 24 hours a day because guppies will not fall asleep in a light aquarium.
Do guppies sleep at the bottom of the tank? Yes they do. When guppies sleep they typically float and will be completely still, Some guppies prefer to sleep at the bottom of the tank because they are less likely to be pushed around by any currents in the aquarium and will get a better night to sleep helpusfish.com like this.
Sleeping Patterns in Guppies
Guppies like us require about 6 – 8 hours of sleep every night. Guppies also need a dark place to sleep, so do not leave any lights on in the tank 24 hours a day. If you leave lights on 24 hours a day the guppies will not be able to sleep and will die after a few days.
Most guppies will stop swimming and fall asleep almost instantly when the lights have been turned off. When sleeping the guppies will float and will not move and will appear to be dead.
All guppies are different when it comes to sleeping positions. Some prefer to float in the middle of the tank, some sleep at the bottom of the tank and some like to sleep next to tank ornaments like plants or rocks.
Sleep Patterns In Guppy Fry
Guppy fry (Baby Guppies) require the same amount of sleep as adult guppies which is 6 – 8 hours a night.
You should keep your aquarium radion lights on for longer when you have guppy fry, as this will help them to grow faster and healthier. Just make sure the lights are turned off for at least 10 hours a day. Again with guppy fry they will die if they do not get enough sleep.
If you have guppy fry in your aquarium I recommend that you fill your tank with ornaments, this will help the guppy fry to hide when they are sleeping.
Signs Guppy is Sleeping or Dead
When guppy sleep they will appear dead as they will be completely still and will float in the water. There are a few signs that will tell us if the guppy is sleeping or dead.
Floating Motionless During The Day
The most obvious check is to look at your guppy during the day when it is light. If they are still completely motionless they are most likely dead. If this is happening try feeding your fish, if it does not react this should be a clear sign.
Guppy Is Pregnant
It is common for pregnant guppies to float motionless, even during the day. You can check if your fish is pregnant by looking at there belly. If you can see a dark spot it means they are pregnant.
