not out of water, of course
2006-08-01 11:29:26 · 11 answers · asked by badcloud56 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Bony fish called osteichthyes have a structure called the operculum or gill cover. This gill cover will open and close allowing water to enter the mouth and pass over the gills as the fish stands still. Sharks do not contain the operculum so they need to swim to allow the water to be forced over its gills. The swim bladder is also needed by the fish to stay still and not sink. Sharks lack a swim bladder.
2006-08-02 05:30:03 · answer #1 · answered by ATP-Man 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the species of fish. Most species are perfectly capable of lying on the bottom or simply hovering in the water column without any harm. That is because most fish are able to ventilate their gills simply by moving the gill covers and mouths, thus pumping air through the gills.
However there are also many species of fish that have lost this ability. These are invariably open ocean species, and active predators. Tuna for example will suffocate if they stop moving for more than a few minutes. That is because they have lost the ability to use their gill covers to pump water. Instead they rely on forward movement to force water over the gills.
The same is also true of marlin and several open ocean shark species.
The idea that all sharks have to keep moving or suffoctae is just a myth. Most sharks are perfectly capable of lying on the bottom and breathing just using their gill covers and mouths.
2006-08-01 11:43:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a great many fishes live nearly motionless lives and many do so on a regular diurnal/noctural cycle, some active by day others by night.. Although fish do not "sleep" in the sense that we understand sleep, most fish do rest. Usually they just blank their minds and do what we might call daydreaming. Some float in place, some wedge themselves into a spot in the mud or the coral, some even build themselves a nest. They will still be alert for danger, but they will also be "sleeping."
2006-08-01 11:40:21 · answer #3 · answered by plantladywithcfids 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, lots of fish can stop swimming without dying. In fact, they actually has a sleep cycle where they remain motionless in water.
2006-08-01 11:34:33 · answer #4 · answered by galactic_man_of_leisure 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes of course. there are all types of fish sharks rest at the bottom. there are fishes that look like rocks. that just sit there waiting for there prey
2006-08-01 11:36:14 · answer #5 · answered by jackpack 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are rest stops in waters also.
2006-08-01 11:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sharks must always swim forward to breathe but there are other species which can 'stand' still while they sleep.
2006-08-01 12:24:27 · answer #7 · answered by Me in Canada eh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not unless it can pump water across it's gills to breath, or is head on into a current.
2006-08-01 11:35:05 · answer #8 · answered by helixburger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain sharks will die if they stop swimming.
2006-08-01 11:36:22 · answer #9 · answered by D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-08-01 13:58:13 · answer #10 · answered by sweet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋