Anabantoidei
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 Dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia)
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The Anabantoidei or labyrinth fishes are a suborder of perciform ray-finned fishes distinguished by their possession of a lung-like labyrinth organ, which enables them to breathe air.
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[edit] Labyrinth Organ
The labyrinth organ is a much-folded suprabranchial accessory breathing organ found in labyrinth fish, of the Anabantoidei family. It is formed by vascularized expansion of the epibranchial of the first gill arch and used for respiration in air.
Or more simply put, this organ allows labyrinth fish to take in oxygen directly from the air, instead of taking it from the water they reside in through use of gills. The labyrinth organ helps the inhaled oxygen to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Labyrinth fishes can survive for a short period of time out of water, as they can inhale the air around them, provided they stay moist.
[edit] Aquarium
The most common labyrinth fishes found in pet shops are Gourami and Siamese Fighting Fish. Because of their capability to utilize atmospheric oxygen, these fish generally are not as dependent on a form of aeration in their tank, as they can rise to the surface of the water and take a breath. This causes them to be very hardy fish. Unfortunately, because of this hardiness, these fish can be abused, especially in the case of the Siamese Fighting Fish. Many of the labyrinth fishes are very peaceful with the exceptions of Paradise Fish and Siamese Fighting Fish; males are often territorial towards other males, even interspecifically, so a large aquarium or only one male per tank is ideal to reduce aggression.
[edit] References
<references /> Fishbase.org
[edit] External links
- Anabantoids (PDF) - definition of "labyrinth fish"
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