Introduction
Fish are aquatic animals, meaning they live in water. While some fish have adapted to living in both fresh and saltwater, others have evolved to survive in only one type of environment. Fish rely heavily on the oxygen found in water to breathe and to stay alive, so when they are out of water, the amount of oxygen available to them decreases drastically. This article will discuss the amount of time a fish can survive out of water and how long the process can be.
How Long Can Fish Survive Out of Water?
The amount of time a fish can survive out of water depends on several factors. The size of the fish, the temperature of the water it was in prior to being taken out, and the air temperature outside can all have an effect on how long a fish can survive without water. Generally, a fish will survive out of water for a few minutes up to several hours depending on these factors.
Factors Affecting How Long Fish Can Survive Out of Water
The size of a fish is one of the most important factors in determining how long it can survive out of water. Smaller fish, such as minnows, can typically survive out of water for several minutes while larger fish, such as bass, may only survive out of water for a few minutes. Fish that are larger than six inches in length may only be able to survive out of water for a few minutes or even seconds.
The temperature of the water the fish was in prior to being taken out can also affect its ability to survive out of water. Warmer water holds more oxygen than colder water, so if a fish is taken out of warmer water it will be able to survive for longer periods of time than if it were taken out of cold water.
The air temperature outside will also affect how long a fish can survive out of water. When the air is cold, the oxygen in the air decreases, making it harder for a fish to breathe. This can cause a fish to become stressed and can lead to the fish dying faster when it is out of water.
How to Keep a Fish Alive Out of Water
If you must take a fish out of water, there are some methods you can use to help keep the fish alive for longer periods of time. The first step is to make sure the fish is placed in a container filled with water that is the same temperature as the water it was in prior to being taken out. This will help to keep the fish from going into shock and will help to keep the fish alive for longer periods of time.
It is also important to keep the container of water covered. This will help to prevent the water from evaporating and will also help to keep the oxygen levels in the water higher. Additionally, it will help to keep the fish from jumping out of the container.
If possible, adding an aerator to the container of water can also help to keep a fish alive out of water for longer periods of time. An aerator will help to provide the fish with more oxygen and will help to keep the water from becoming stagnant.
Conclusion
Fish are aquatic animals that rely heavily on the oxygen found in water to breathe and to stay alive. The amount of time a fish can survive out of water depends on several factors, including the size of the fish, the temperature of the water it was in prior to being taken out, and the air temperature outside. Generally, a fish can survive out of water for a few minutes up to several hours depending on these factors. There are also some methods that can be used to help keep a fish alive out of water for longer periods of time, such as keeping the container of water covered and adding an aerator to the container.