Fishes die when taken out of water because they primarily breathe using gills, which are adapted to extract oxygen dissolved in water. When a fish is removed from water, the gills collapse, preventing them from efficiently absorbing oxygen from the air, leading to suffocation.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Gills are specialized for aquatic breathing:
Fish have gills, which are delicate, feathery structures rich in blood capillaries, allowing them to efficiently absorb oxygen from water.
Gills cannot function in air:
When a fish is out of water, the gills collapse and dry out, reducing their surface area and making it difficult to take in oxygen from the air.
Lack of oxygen leads to death:
Without a sufficient supply of oxygen, the fish’s cells cannot function, and it will eventually die from suffocation.
Other factors:
In addition to the respiratory issue, being out of water also exposes fish to other dangers like overheating and dehydration, which can also contribute to their death.