With mammals, birds and insects living on earth, everything is clear - they, like people, use air for breathing. The aquatic environment is strikingly different from the terrestrial one. However, humans and fish do not have as many differences in terms of respiration as it might seem at first glance.
It is necessary
- - microcompressor;
- - water pump.
Instructions
Step 1
The vast majority of organisms (with the exception of some types of bacteria) need oxygen. Fish do not differ in this regard. There is quite a lot of dissolved gas in the water. That is what the fish consume. Oxygen, swallowed together with water, enters the gills, from where it is subsequently carried throughout the body, saturating the organs and tissues. Oxygen participates in a number of redox reactions in the body, due to which the fish receives energy.
Step 2
The absorption of oxygen from water is extremely high - 30%. In comparison, humans and mammals are able to use only a quarter of the oxygen they breathe.
Step 3
Not all fish breathe exclusively with gills. In the course of evolution, they also developed additional respiratory organs. For example, some fish are able to absorb oxygen through the skin, and the Anabantidae family, which includes species popular among aquarists such as cockerels, gourami, macropods, and lalius, have a gill labyrinth that allows them to use the oxygen contained in the air. Moreover, if such a fish does not float to the surface for several hours, it will die.
Step 4
If you keep fish in an aquarium, you must make sure that your pets have enough oxygen in the water. In natural reservoirs, water is saturated due to waves, various rises and rifts, waterfalls. At home, artificial aeration using microcompressors and pumps will help improve gas exchange. And remember that the higher the water temperature, the worse the oxygen dissolves in it.
