How Long Can Fish Stay Underwater?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Like us, fish need oxygen to survive. But to breathe, most pull oxygen-containing water into their mouths and pump it through their gill chambers before expelling it out of their gill slits. Now, for the first time, scientists have seen fish “holding” that breath, some for

up to 4 minutes at a time

.

Can you drown a fish?


Yes, fish can ‘drown'

–for lack of a better word. Though, it is better to think of it as a form of suffocation where oxygen levels are too low or the fish isn't able to properly pull oxygen from the water for one reason or another.

How do fish stay underwater for so long?

To stay at a particular level,

a fish fills its bladder to the point at which it displaces a volume of water that weighs what the fish weighs

. In this case, the forces of buoyancy and gravity cancel each other out, and the fish stays at that level. Most fish rise and sink using this method, but not all do.

Can fish suffocate while in water?


When the water doesn't have oxygen, they suffocate

, just like humans suffocate when we don't breathe enough oxygen. So, while a fish can't die from drowning in water, it can die from suffocating in water due to a lack of oxygen.

How long can a fish survive?

The majority of common tropical fish live for an average of

three to five years

, while goldfish are among those living the longest, potentially up to 20 years. Koi, who are cousins of the goldfish, can live up to 40 years.

Can fishes feel pain?

CONCLUSION. A significant body of scientific evidence suggests that

yes, fish can feel pain

. Their complex nervous systems, as well as how they behave when injured, challenge long-held beliefs that fish can be treated without any real regard for their welfare.

Can a fish survive in milk?

The simple answer is “

no

,” but the nuanced response sheds light on how fish, and all other organisms, function. Fish have evolved over many millions of years to survive in water with a certain amount of dissolved oxygen, acidity, and other trace molecules.

Do fishes fart?


Most fish do use air to inflate and deflate their bladder to maintain buoyancy which is expelled either through their mouth or gills which can be mistaken for a fart

. For example, sand tiger sharks gulp air into their stomachs at the surface which they then discharge out the back door to attain a desired depth.

Can fishes pee?


Fish urinate either through their gills or through a “urinary pore.”

The latter eliminates urine that has been filtered via the kidneys. Saltwater varieties excrete most urine through the gills, while do so through the urinary pore. Saltwater fish take in a great deal of salt and must excrete it.

Does fish get thirsty?


They don't ever get thirsty

. Marine fish are what's called hypertonic to the seawater. So essentially, they lose water through their gills to the seawater. The seawater is saltier than their blood.

How do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep,

most fish do rest

. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

Can fishes hold their breath?

Like us, fish need oxygen to survive. But to breathe, most pull oxygen-containing water into their mouths and pump it through their gill chambers before expelling it out of their gill slits. Now, for the first time,

scientists have seen fish “holding” that breath, some for up to 4 minutes at a time.

Can fishes cry?

As we mentioned before,

fish cannot cry

because they lack the part of the brain which allows mammals to produce tears. This part of the brain is called the cerebral cortex. Besides, fish lack both the emotional depth and mental complexity to be able to cry.

Do fish drown land?

Gills and lungs are designed for use in water or air, and they're much more efficient in their natural habitat than the other. By considering the word “drown” you realize that fish don't die through the inhalation of water. So while

fish can't drown

, they can go through a similar experience when out of water or oxygen.

Can fish stop swimming?

The short answer is

Yes, they do

, Hence the reason they need to rest to regain strength. The creatures that live in the pelagic environment never stop swimming. It's the same with fish.

What fish can live the longest?

This

bigmouth buffalo

(Ictiobus cyprinellus) was photographed at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, in South Dakota. Carbon dating has validated that the species is the longest-lived freshwater fish known.

Do fishes need air?


Humans and fish both require oxygen to survive

. The difference is, we get our oxygen through air while fish get it through water.

Why can't fish live out of water?

Though some fish can breathe on land taking oxygen from air, most of the fish, when taken out of water, suffocate and die. This is because

gill arches of fish collapse, when taken out of water, leaving the blood vessels no longer exposed to oxygen in air

.

Do fishes feel love?

What they found was that both the female and the male she had chosen were slower to spawn and became a little more glum. This shows us that

fish do feel companionship

and that it's not just humans or mammals, so love really is in the water!

Do fishes drink water?


Fish do absorb water through their skin and gills in a process called osmosis

. Osmosis is the flow of water across membranes from areas of low concentration of dissolved things (solutes) to areas of high concentration.

Why is electrofishing done at night?

1) Safety – although the field of electricity is very localized to the front of the boat, between 250 and 500 volts is directed into the water, generally at 4 to 6 amperes. Electrofishing surveys are done at night

when the lake is quiet and there is less chance of people or pets swimming in areas being surveyed

.

Would a fish survive in vodka?

Oxygen-free living

This is when an organism ends up by chance with an extra set of its genes, which can then be repurposed to take on new functions.

By making alcohol, crucian carp and goldfish can survive where no other fish can

, meaning they can avoid predators or competitors.

What happens if you put a fish in alcohol?

Despite the fact that the fish are literally filled to the gills with alcohol,

it's not the drink that kills them

. If the winter lasts too long, they run out of fuel that's stored in their livers and die.

Can you eat a goldfish?


Goldfish are as edible as any other freshwater fish

. If you choose to eat it, know these facts first: That gross flake and/or pellet stuff is what your fish has been eating exclusively. Pop a pellet or two, that's what your fish will most likely taste like.

Does fish have tongue?

Fish tongues however do not resemble the muscular tongues of humans.

The tongue of a fish is formed from a fold in the floor of the mouth

. In some species of bony the tongue has teeth which help to hold prey items. The name of one genus of argentinid fish, Glossanodon, literally means ‘tongue teeth'.

Can spiders fart?

Since the stercoral sac contains bacteria, which helps break down the spider's food, it seems likely that gas is produced during this process, and therefore

there is certainly the possibility that spiders do fart

.

How do fish pee?

A lot of fish get rid of the pee

through an tiny opening, called a pore, that's near their rear ends

—and in some fish, waste also goes out through the skin or the gills. When a fish pees in a coral reef, the corals wave their tentacles around like tiny arms to grab nutrients from the pee and absorb them.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.