Tiger Barbs nose down

**Tooch** · 02-19-2008, 04:06 PM

I notice alot of the times when I walk into my daughters room and turn on her tank light, there are always 1 or 2 of the Tiger Barbs in the corner by the heater that are nose down. I'm talkin verticle. When the light comes on, they swim out and wait for food.

I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed this strange behavior? Is this a common thing? I'm not sure if they are always the same ones doing it or not. Are they sleeping? They all have a healthy appetite and swim fine with the lights on. They are all schooling together well.

Thanks for the advice!

**jbeining75** · 02-19-2008, 04:08 PM

I'd say they are sleeping.. My Oscars tilt nose down all the time when they are sleeping... It is funny...

**angelcakes** · 02-19-2008, 04:14 PM

i'd agree,lights out they go to sleep,lights on there awake,same as us really we go asleep when lights are out and we all have a favourite sleeping position

**RainMan** · 02-19-2008, 04:14 PM

I used to have Barbs... can't say, that I remember that behavior. However, if they perk right up and swim around... then it's probably like Jamie said, "sleeping" It's when they become lethargic, that you have to start worrying. In my experience... fish tend to go side-ways or heads up when they are in-trouble.

**Tooch** · 02-19-2008, 04:14 PM

Thanks J-Man! I was hoping that was all it was... I hate it when things don't do well in my daughters tank!

Edit: And everyone else that responded before I finished my post! LOL you guys are fast!

**Pr0eve** · 02-19-2008, 06:49 PM

When I use to have a large school of tiger barbs, I would see some of them doing this during the day. They do it from time to time. At night, I agree they were more then likely asleep.

**Incredulous_Ed** · 02-19-2008, 07:35 PM

Thats what my lemon tetras do. They sleep hanging horizontily. Its weird.

**smaug** · 02-19-2008, 07:42 PM

My daughter is always telling me dad your tigers are dying,they hang out like that all the time.

**TampaClint** · 12-05-2008, 04:27 PM

I have 7 tiger barbs in my tank. They school together and at night after I turn the aquarium light off, they do sleep. they position themselves vertically and seem to like to get in the plants. They are sleeping. Its very interesting to watch them, as I have never seen anything like this before having them. In the morning, I turn the lights on and they start moving around (kind of like me when I first get up). Within a couple minutes they are active and ready to eat.

**Northernguy** · 12-05-2008, 04:31 PM

The only tank that ever appears to go to sleep is my Oscars.All my other tanks seem just as active with the lights out.
I have no Barbs though,only tetras beta and guppys and cories.