do some fish breathe air?

Question

u can take them out of water

Answer 1

Yes, there actually are quite a few fish that can "breathe" air, most of them have been covered by other posters already. However, most of these fish should not be taken out of water unless it is neccessary. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not the threat of suffocating the fish, but the temperature shock that is the biggest initial concern when taking fish out of water.

If your room temp is slightly warmer or exactly matches the water temperature then it is less stressful for the fish. You should avoid exposing your fish to the open air, completely removed from water, whenever possible. Remember that there is actually more oxygen exchange not less when air meets water, so as long as the gills are wet they are getting oxygen. Hence the reason we put agitators and air stones in fish tanks.

Tough fish like snake heads, walking catfish and their relatives are probably the most likely to be able to physically tolerate being taken out of the water for amusements sake, but they are also capable through biting and sharp spines of making you pay for the playtime.

Frogs, turtles, and other amphibians are a better choice if you want a "crossover" pet. Taking fish out of water is not a good idea all the way around. If a fish has the ability to leave water on it's own, you should let it control how and when this happens.

There are some fish that are social and robust enough for you to touch and play with in *their* element. However, you should be mindful of everything you have on your skin and make sure your hands/body are clean and free of lotions, soaps, and perfumes etc. Even body oils and hair can have a negavtive impact on water quality.

I used to put my hand in the tank and pet my Oscars, and I had a Weather Loach that would rest in the cup of my hand everytime I gave him the chance. Feeding your fish by hand is good way to feel more conected with the fish, but remember that powerful fish like Oscars can bite HARD if they want to. You don't have to be entirely detached from all of your pet fish, but you should respect their needs, health, and wishes. Good luck...

Answer 2

Some catfish absorb oxygen through a part of their digestive tract, and things like gouramis and bettas have a special labyrinth organ to breathe air when there isn't enough oxygen in the water. But this doesn't mean you can take them out of the water. Few fish can actually leave the water, and even fewer can leave for any large amount of time (more than a few minutes), but I guess if you wanted a half land, half water fish, look into mudskippers.

Answer 3

The 2nd answer is correct. During the dry season, the lungfish will actually bury itself in the mud under a dry lake bed and hibernate until the next rain fills the lake again. While it hiberates it actually breathes air and is not living in water so yes, there is a fish that can technically do both.

Answer 4

Yes, it is. It does have the organ the other user talked about for breathing in air from the surface. Bettas must surface here and there since that's where they get some of their air intake. If his other activity is good and he doesn't look like he's gasping for air and hanging around the top too long, he should be fine. For helpful information on betta health & care, I'd recommend the source sites below.

Answer 5

all fish breath air, Just out of the water.

Answer 6

Some fish... bettas, Gouramis, and paradise fish. They're a group called anabantoids. Some catfish will gulp air too.

most fish when the water is extremely bad will gulp air but this is no excuse to not clean your water.

mudskippers don't actually breath air... they store water in their gills.. like holding their breath with water. they're cute.

Answer 7

Dear Dana

Betta's, Gouramis, and paradise fish. They're a group called anabantoids. for instants where bettas originate from sometimes then barley have enough water to keep them moist so if they couldn't breath air they wouldn't survive.
hope this answers your question.

Answer 8

The lungfish can breathe air for a short time. Most others can not.

Answer 9

theres a type of fish that lives in mangrove forests that can breath air

Answer 10

if they could breathe air, they wouldn't b called fish.

when u take them out of water, they are "drowning" just as humans do when they are underwater and run out of breath.