# Do fish sleep?

- Source: NOAA Ocean Facts (ocean-facts.noaa.gov), Public domain, NOAA National Ocean Service, Ocean Facts
- Reading level: Grade 5
- Subjects: Sea Creatures, Animals, Ocean
- Topics: fish, sleep, while, activity, land, mammals
- Length: 102 words, about 1 min
- By: NOAA National Ocean Service
- Original: <https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/fish-sleep.html>
- Page: <https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/r/noaa-ocean-facts/fish-sleep>
- Open in Sprouts: <https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/?read=noaa-ocean-facts/fish-sleep>

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While most fish **rest** by reducing their activity and metabolism, fish "sleep" is different from that of land mammals

The nature of fish "sleep" is an area of active research. While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest.

Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest. These periods of "suspended animation" may perform the same restorative functions as sleep does in people.

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## Picture credits

- NOAA National Ocean Service, Public domain (US government work) (<https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/fish-sleep.html>)