Betta fish do possess the special ability to breathe air, which stems from their unique physiological structure:
Dual Respiratory System
- They have the gill structure of regular fish for underwater breathing.
- They’ve evolved a labyrinth organ (also known as a maze organ) to directly absorb oxygen from the air.
Survival Adaptability
- They can survive in oxygen-deprived waters (like rice paddies or sewage ditches) by frequently surfacing to (breathe air).
- They can stay alive for minutes to half an hour out of water (when humidity is sufficient).
Respiratory Behavior Traits
- They make "popping" bubble sounds when breathing at the water’s surface.
- A common sleeping posture is head-down with the tail floating at the water’s surface.
Breeding Precautions
- Though extra oxygenation isn’t needed, keep the water surface exposed to air.
- Maintain at least 5cm of space between the water level and the tank lid for easy breathing.
This respiratory mechanism makes betta fish one of the best ornamental fish for beginners.