2006-10-23 22:35:07 · 5 answers · asked by Dr K 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
They require as much oxygen as other fish but have a novel way of getting enough.
Betta fish and Gouramis are what are known a labyrinth fish because they have a spiral organ in their head where they take in air and the oxygen is then removed in to thier bodies. They have evolved this because they usually live in water that contains very little oxygen like rice paddies. Also they have less trouble with other predators in this sort of home as other fish cannot survive with them in the fetid water.
2006-10-24 01:03:28 · answer #1 · answered by stevehart53 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bettas don't get their oxygen from the water itself but by swimming up to the surface and taking a gulp of fresh air. They then push this air over their gills. The reason they do this is because in the wild bettas live in stagnant pools of murky water where there is little or no oxygen present in the water.
2006-10-24 02:22:20 · answer #2 · answered by moya 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Betta are one of the rare fish that can breath regular air that has'nt gone through there gill plates. They originally come from rice patty's in china and japan where they have very little oxygen so they have adapted to breathing oxygen straight from the air. Watch your betta as it gets close to the time you it's bowl you'll notice him sticking his lips out of the water sucking air in. It's actually pretty amazing how there lips extend so they can breath out of the water without actually sticking there heads out.
2006-10-23 23:12:41 · answer #3 · answered by xxmack675hpxx 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what do you mean less oxygen. lol
Define the words "less oxygen" ^^v
every living creature needs oxygen and that include fishes. the amount of oxygen that they take depend on their size of lungs/liver? or for the fishes, i guess its called...i forgot...watever it is....or the way the oxygen move in and out through their body.
2006-10-23 22:53:23 · answer #4 · answered by kachengz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can handle less oxygen because they can gulp air from the surface.
In the wild, they often get caught in the hoof depressions of water buffalo. That is why than can handle living in a small container without an airator
2006-10-23 23:03:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋