Air Breathing Fish

What are air breathing fish?

Air breathing fish have evolved special organs that allow them to extract oxygen from the air, enabling survival in low-oxygen environments.

Common air-breathing organs include:

• Labyrinth organs
• Modified swim bladders
• Vascularized mouth or gut tissues

Why air breathing evolved

This adaptation is common in habitats with:

• Warm, stagnant water
• Low dissolved oxygen
• Seasonal droughts

It provides a survival advantage when gill respiration alone is insufficient.

Aquarium care considerations

Air breathing fish still require:

• Clean, stable water
• Proper pH
• Low levels of ammonia

They must also have unobstructed access to the water surface.

Common examples

Betta fish, gouramis, and some catfish species are well-known air breathers.

This adaptation does not replace gills but complements them.