Do Fish Sleep? Here’s a Deep Dive Into 14 Fascinating Fish Facts

Do fish sleep? Do they play? Do they love? Fish might not look like us, but they have way more in common with us than you’d think. 🐠 Want proof? Here are 14 fish facts that’ll leave you floored:

1. they’re super smart

Fish have been known to remember things for many months, use tools to break open shells, and even count! Check out some of the other surprising ways fish flex their brain power. 

2. they talk the talk

With the right tech, you could hear fish squeaking and squealing to each other underwater. Some fish also wave and point with their bodies to organize a hunt or reveal prey’s hiding spots

3. they “sleep”

Here’s what you came for—fish regularly recharge through rest like us, but they do it all without closing their eyes. 👀 Who needs eyelids, anyway?

4. they have spas

Small “cleaner fish” nibble parasites off bigger fish, who wait in line with others at cleaning stations. If the “cleaner fish” accidentally bite the bigger fish, they make it up to them with a back rub. All is forgiven, right?

5. they stick up for themselves

Blowfish inflate themselves and pop out their sharp needles to scare off predators. Spotted boxfish can even escape once a predator catches them—they release a toxic mucus that tastes so bad that the predator spits them out.  

6. they get busy

TIL fish have thriving sex lives. Most species of seahorse partner for life, some pufferfish draw patterns on the seafloor to attract mates, female anglerfish can mate (and fuse together!) with up to six partners in their life, and salmon can swim up to 1,850 miles for a date. 🤯

7. they’re fluid

Many species of fish can change from female to male or vice versa. Some can even change back if they need or want to.

8. their love language is touch

Fish like physical contact with other fish (NOT with human hands like in touch tanks). They often gently rub against one another, kinda like how a cat weaves in between your legs. 🥰

9. they’re social

Fish recognize each other, learn from each other, and know their place within their squad. They even know when they’re being watched and often change their behavior if needed. 

10. they’re parent goals

Did you know that many fish build nests for their babies? After they’re done building, male sand gobies guard their nests and fan the eggs with their fins to keep a current of fresh water flowing.

11. they’re sensible

Fish have all the senses that humans do, and then some. They can also sense light, chemicals, vibrations, and electricity. ⚡

12. they like to play

Scientists have seen cichlids knocking over a thermometer just to watch it bounce back up again. Why? ‘Cause it’s fun.

13. they can tell time

A psychologist trained fish to press a lever at certain times for food. This shows that they understand routines and have a sense of time.

14. they feel

Fish are animals, just like dogs, cats, and humans. They can feel pain, stress, and fear, so why support their suffering for a fish sandwich when we can easily make it vegan? We never need to eat or catch fish, so let’s let them carry on their fascinating lives in peace. 

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Now that you’re a full-force fish fanatic, help save them from painful deaths in the food industry!