Okay so today I was talking to one of my best friends and we resumed arguing about a topic we’ve disagreed on for 3 years.
The topic: Can you drown a fish?
Three years ago my friend yelled at me for leaving a sink on for longer than necessary. She screamed that I would drown all the fishes. At the time, I told her she was being ridiculous because fish live in water, yada yada.
Anyways, we started fighting about it again today. She told me that just because fish live in the water they still need oxygen. I told her that fish take oxygen from the water.
This went on for awhile before I decided to ask Google. And it turns out, holy shit, you can drown a fish. Here’s what Google said:
“Simply, yes, fish can drown. There are many ways, though. Certain fish (Anabatoids) like Betta, Gouramis, and Leopard Ctenopoma (as well as many species of Catfish) need atmospheric air to breath (using their labyrinth organ which is similar to a set of lungs). If they cannot get air, they will drown. Water with little or no dissolved oxygen (i.e.: overcrowded tanks, stagnant water, water in a room with little or no oxygen), the fish will not have enough oxygen to take in through its gills, and drown. Also, toxic compounds like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate as well as pollution or gill damage can prevent fishes’ gills from functioning properly, leading to drowning.”
So apparently, you really do learn something new everyday. Sorry for doubting you for three years, Christine.
