How Does Lungfish Breathe?

Unlike other fish with gills alone, lungfish can surface, take a breath and survive when other fish might be lacking air. In fact, much like many sea mammals, lungfish are obligate air breathers—they have to breathe air above water periodically to survive.

How does the lungfish get oxygen?

Like all fish, lungfish have organs known as gills to extract oxygen from water. The biological adaptation of the lung allows lungfish to also extract oxygen from the air. ... During the dry season, the West African lungfish can breathe (extract oxygen from the air) as lakes and ponds turn to mud and cracked earth.

Can lungfish breathe out of water?

African lungfish have some fascinating adaptations. They have two lungs, and can breathe air. ... It can live out of water in this cocoon for up to a year, breathing through its lungs until rains refill its waterway.