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Journal of Experimental Biology 53,281-298 (1970)
Published by Company of Biologists 1970

Respiration in an Air-Breathing Fish, the Climbing Perch, Anabas Testudineus : II. Respiratory Patterns and the Control of Breathing

G. M. HUGHES ¹ and B. N. SINGH ¹

¹ Research Unit for Comparative Animal Respiration, Bristol University

1. A study has been made of the patterns of respiration in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) living in water containing different concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide and also in air-exposed fish.

2. The fish breathes both water and air in normal tap water. The intervals between air-breaths are irregular and vary within the range 8-15 min.

3. Air-breathing increases in water of high CO₂ content. The time interval between air breaths falls with increasing CO₂ content. Gill ventilatory frequency increases when 5-10% CO₂ is bubbled into the water. Aquatic respiration stops and only aerial respiration occurs if more than 20% CO₂ is bubbled into the water.

4. Three factors, CO₂ content, pH and O₂ content of water, control the respiratory patterns in climbing perch. Of these CO₂ content appears to be most important for fish living in water.

5. The climbing perch can live for long periods (6-12 h during observations made) in water of very high CO₂ content (20-33 vols. %). In such hypercarbic water gases are only exchanged through the air-breathing organs. The mouth and opercula are closed tightly and gill ventilation stops completely.

6. Exposure to air increases air-breathing but the frequencies are irregular. Inhalation of hypoxic gas or pure nitrogen also evokes air-breathing.

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