Hello--

I am wondering if someone could explain to me in detail and as specifically as possible how exactly fish use their oral valves to breath. I know that some fish (sharks) can't stop moving because they aren't able to actively move water over their gills; however, I was recently told that there are some types of fishes that can do this.

Is anyone able to tell me which types of fishes can and can't breathe while stationary, and would you also please be able to explain exactly how the process works? The more details//specifics, the better!

Thanks.

Look into the mouth of a big sunfish, cichlid or catfish while he's staring straight at you waiting for food. You can see a flap going in & out that restricts water from going back out the mouth when the opercula are closing to push water out through the gills. Besides pelagic sharks, i've heard tuna and mackerel have a hard time breathing while stationary. Sorry thats probably not as detailed as you're hoping for. An ichthyology or vertebrate anatomy textbook might be what you need.

Hello--

I am wondering if someone could explain to me in detail and as specifically as possible how exactly fish use their oral valves to breath. I know that some fish (sharks) can't stop moving because they aren't able to actively move water over their gills; however, I was recently told that there are some types of fishes that can do this.

Is anyone able to tell me which types of fishes can and can't breathe while stationary, and would you also please be able to explain exactly how the process works? The more details//specifics, the better!

Thanks.

Look into the mouth of a big sunfish, cichlid or catfish while he's staring straight at you waiting for food. You can see a flap going in & out that restricts water from going back out the mouth when the opercula are closing to push water out through the gills. Besides pelagic sharks, i've heard tuna and mackerel have a hard time breathing while stationary. Sorry thats probably not as detailed as you're hoping for. An ichthyology or vertebrate anatomy textbook might be what you need.

Thanks. I have heard that sharks can't draw water over their gill rakers, and therefore must keep moving to breath. Do you have any particular ichthyology textbook you would recommend?

Nora