When a fish is playing dead, it will float upside down. Floating upside down is a common sign of dead fish, which can be scary for fish owners.
Learning to determine different symptoms of fish playing dead is essential for concerned aquarists so you do not mistakenly remove your fish from their tank prematurely. You must pay close attention to your betta’s behaviors and learn the difference between deceased fish and playing dead.
Can Fish Play Dead?
Some species of fish will play dead as a defense mechanism. They use this defense mechanism to fool other fish and humans, so they are uninterested in attacking or catching the fish.
Do Betta Fish Play Dead?
Betta fish are one of the few fish that play dead. They are small tropical fish that typically swim near the top of the tank. When they play dead, they swim upside down near the top of the tank. However, they do not float outside of the water, making it easier to identify whether they are playing dead or not deceased.
Why Is My Fish Playing Dead?
The most common reason fish play dead is a defense mechanism to avoid predators. There are plenty of other ways fish play dead, such as stress, illness, and sleeping.
Defense Mechanisms
Playing dead is their way of remaining inconspicuous around dangerous predators. As a small fish, large tankmates can make these fish vulnerable.
Sleeping
Some fish will play dead when humans approach them. If they are experiencing a type of illness, they might play dead to avoid intervention from their human companions.
Hurt
A hurt fish might play dead to conserve its energy. Bettas are typically active fish swimming quickly at the top of the tank. Playing dead helps your fish heal quicker because it does not waste energy swimming around. Instead, it conserves energy floating in one place.
Stressed
Stressed fish will play dead to avoid confronting their environment. Decorations, tank size, and incompatible tank mates are common reasons your betta fish will grow stressed.
Ill
An ill beta fish will float upside down in the tank, often doing so before it dies. If your betta fish is floating upside down, you should evaluate its physical appearance to ensure it is healthy. Any nodules, belly inflation, or discoloration could mean your fish has an illness. Most aquatic diseases are contagious, and you should treat them immediately.
Why Does My Betta Fish Look Dead?
Your betta fish might look dead because it has health complications, is stressed, is trying to avoid predators, and much more.
Playing Dead
A betta fish playing dead might look deceased. It is essential to look for signs your fish is living, like breathing, which is the clearest indicator your fish is alive.
Upside Down
An upside-down fish is the most common sign of a deceased betta fish. It can be terrifying for loving aquarists, so you should pay close attention to their breathing.
Not Moving
An unmoving betta fish can appear as a cause for concern for the average aquarist. Luckily, an unmoving betta is not concerning if your fish is breathing. Your fish should be floating upside down, clearly breathing, and have no physical deformities.
Heavy Breathing
Heavy breathing is a common reason that fish appears it is on the brink of death. Luckily, heavy breathing is a sign your fish is still alive while floating upside down. Watch your fish closely to ensure it is not gasping for air at the top of your tank. Any fish gasping for breath might be sick or dying.
At the Top of the Tank
A fish playing dead will float upside down at the top of its tank. Fish floating upside-down at the tops of tanks can appear problematic because this is one of the most common signs of a dead fish. Your fish can be near the top of the tank, but it should never surface the water for long periods.
Betta fish play dead when they are scared of other fish. It can be a sign that you have incompatible fish in your tank.
Is My Betta Fish Dead Or Sleeping?
The most straightforward way to tell whether your upside-down betta fish is alive is to check whether it is breathing. Its stomach should expand very slightly, and its gills should move. However, the betta fish will not move. Instead, your betta fish will levitate in the water.
Recap
Some fish, like the betta, can play dead to avoid being eaten by predators. The vital defense mechanism repels larger fish from eating the small tropical fish.
Playing dead can be a symptom of illness, causing concern for many aquarists. Pay close attention to your betta fish and observe any physical changes. Be incredibly considerate of breathing and a bulbous stomach, one of the most common signs of fatal illness.
