Most of us assume without question that oxygen is essential for our fish when we consider keeping an aquarium. After all, the majority of aquatic life requires a consistent flow of oxygen to remain alive and well. However, did you know that some fish have evolved to survive in conditions with low oxygen levels? These intriguing species put our preconceived notions about maintaining aquariums to the test.
Some fish live best in low-oxygen environments in the wild, like slow-moving swamps or stagnant ponds. You might be surprised to learn how these fish are able to extract oxygen from the air due to their unique adaptations. Instead of depending only on gill respiration, some species possess specialized breathing organs that allow them to directly absorb oxygen from the atmosphere.
It’s important to know these fish’s particular requirements if you plan to keep them in a home aquarium. Even though they can endure lower oxygen levels, they still gain from having a clean tank. Their environment will remain stable and healthy with the help of an adequate filtration system and periodic water changes.
You’re in for an exciting adventure if the thought of owning fish that don’t necessarily require a high oxygen level excites you. Acquiring knowledge about these exceptional species can enhance your passion for keeping aquariums and assist you in designing a vibrant aquatic setting with a distinctive touch.
| Fish Species | Can Survive Without Oxygen? |
|---|---|
| Betta Fish | Yes, they have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air. |
| Gouramis | Yes, like Betta Fish, they also have a labyrinth organ for breathing air. |
| Killifish | Yes, some species can survive in low-oxygen environments. |
| Catfish (e.g., Airbreathing Catfish) | Yes, they can gulp air to supplement oxygen. |
| Rainbow Fish | No, they generally need a well-oxygenated tank. |
- Which fish can live without aeration (oxygen)
- Without a filter
- With a filter
- Required conditions
- Fish that definitely need a filter and oxygen
- Lack of oxygen
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Which fish can live without aeration (oxygen)
Some fish can breathe using atmospheric air because they have unique organs or because they use another technique (such as gill labyrinth, intestinal, or skin respiration) that does not require a high oxygen content in the water.
A lot of fish can live without an artificial oxygen supply, but only in an open aquarium! Fish with extra respiratory organs perish without air. As a result, vegetation shouldn’t cover the entire water’s surface.
Without a filter
These fish are known as crawling or labyrinth fish, and they have evolved extra labyrinthine bone plates with mucous folds over time. As a result, they can breathe in an oxygen-free aquarium by using air. For fish like these, aeration is not required!
Fish that tangle include:
- cockerels (fighting fish, betta);
- all gouramis;
- ctenopoma;
- macropods (paradise fish);
- swordtails;
- laliuses and others.
Less volume is needed per individual school fish. The habitat is not asked of guppies in any way. A forty-liter tank can house a school of six people along with a few neighbors.
It is essential to siphon the soil and change the water once a week!
With a filter
Air can enter a specific area of the intestine in loaches and tropical catfish. The suprabranchial cavities are used for breathing by both Clarius and sac-gill catfish. These incredible creatures are able to survive for extended periods of time both without oxygen and without water. They travel between bodies of water in nature in this manner.
Bottom catfish, like the speckled catfish, are the most well-liked by aquarists. Typically, they clean up food waste from home ponds to act as "orderlies." But because they are bottom dwellers, they contribute to the muddying of the water by lifting suspended matter off the bottom. Filtration is required in an aquarium where the catfish population is dense.
Most fish breathe through their skin. This percentage can rise to 80% in residents of warm-water stagnant reservoirs, as opposed to the typical range of 10% to 20%. Even less demanding on children’s aeration. These are eels, or catfish.
Fish that can survive without aeration but require a filter include:
- aquarium catfish;
- eels;
- loaches.
Required conditions
More cautious maintenance is needed for aquariums without filtration and aeration, including:
- initially competent selection of pets taking into account species characteristics (aggressiveness, size, living conditions);
- regular cleaning with a siphon;
- partial water change every 2-3 days;
- strict control of the number of inhabitants to avoid overpopulation;
- timely thinning of aquarium flora to prevent overgrowing of the home pond;
- careful monitoring of the condition of pets for timely detection of problems and diseases.
Fish that definitely need a filter and oxygen
Contrary to popular belief, barbs and goldfish cannot survive without oxygen and a filter. For them, extra apparatus (filter, compressor) is required!
Barbs work well in small tanks, particularly dwarf ones.
Even with intensive care, however, goldfish in small or round aquariums will not live as long as nature intends.
Certain species of aquarium fish can survive with little to no oxygen, but the majority of fish in aquariums require oxygen-rich water to flourish. These fish are interesting choices for aquarists trying to set up a low-maintenance tank because of their unique adaptations that enable them to take in oxygen from the air or withstand lower oxygen levels. Knowing these adaptations provides useful information for keeping an aquarium environment balanced and healthy in addition to highlighting the amazing diversity of aquatic life.
Lack of oxygen
Even fish that don’t care to live in water that has been artificially enriched with oxygen can still experience negative effects from it. Every kind of underwater life has a different critical air content in the water.
- rapid breathing, "protruding" gills;
- fish swim on top and swallow air;
- even bottom fish often swallow air at the top;
- decrease in the activity of pets;
- over time, the brightness of the color, resistance to diseases decreases, growth slows down.
After feeding, fish in an aquarium consume more oxygen at night as the water temperature rises, especially if there is a lot of foliage present. In the dark, oxygen is absorbed by all aquatic plants.
Installing a compressor with an air stone is the most efficient way to save fish that are suffering from a lack of oxygen. After decreasing, the air flow rises to the surface, blending and saturating the water with oxygen. To maintain the aesthetics of a small aquarium, the compressor might be movable rather than permanent. It’s sufficient to connect it for forty minutes a day, or longer if necessary, and then take it out until the next time. In this instance, tap water is not acceptable! It needs to be resolved.
A compressor and a filter are pieces of stationary equipment that must be used to provide oxygen to the aquarium if more temporary solutions prove ineffective. Water must be filtered to remove organic matter, as this material’s breakdown takes up a lot of oxygen. The capacity of the tank determines the kind and strength of filter needed: an external filter is needed for a 500-liter tank, while an internal filter is sufficient for a 50-liter tank.
In conclusion, some species of aquarium fish have adapted to low oxygen levels, despite the fact that the majority of fish depend heavily on oxygen-rich water to survive. These fish are special because they can use their specialized respiratory organs to breathe air directly from the surface. They demonstrate to us the diversity and adaptability of aquatic life, frequently managing to survive in environments that would be difficult for other fish.
For aquarium enthusiasts, knowing these remarkable fish can be very enlightening. It emphasizes how crucial it is to do your homework and choose species that are appropriate for the particular circumstances of your tank. Knowing which fish can survive with less oxygen is important, whether you have a tank with poor aeration or you just want to experiment with the variety of life forms.
Though these oxygen-tolerant fish provide interesting insights into the adaptability of aquatic life, the majority of fish prefer an aquarium that is well-balanced and has enough oxygen. It guarantees a healthy ecosystem that sustains a wide variety of species, each with particular requirements and habits.
