The survival time of betta fish (such as Siamese fighting fish) out of water is greatly affected by environmental conditions. Below is a detailed explanation:
1. Survival Time
Routine Conditions
In dry air: 15-30 minutes (suffocation due to rapid drying of gills)
In humid environments (e.g., wrapped in a damp cloth): Approximately 1 day (labyrinth organ aids in breathing)
Extreme Cases
Records show that individual bettas have survived for more than 24 hours in low-temperature (15°C) and high-humidity environments.
However, this is an exceptional case and not recommended to test.
2. Key Influencing Factors
Moisture Retention
Maintaining a moist body surface is crucial for extending survival time.
Betta fish can be wrapped in a damp towel or placed in a container with a small amount of water.
Temperature Impact
Metabolic rate doubles for every 5°C increase in temperature.
Survival time decreases significantly when the temperature exceeds 25°C.
Fish Health Status
Healthy adult fish are more tolerant of hypoxia than fry or sick fish.
Betta fish during the breeding season have shorter survival times due to high metabolism.
3. Precautions
Even if bettas can survive briefly out of water, it still causes severe stress.
It is recommended to use oxygenated bags or water-filled containers during transportation.
If a betta is found out of water, immediately return it to water and observe its breathing.
4. Scientific Principle
Betta fish have a special respiratory structure called the labyrinth organ, which allows them to breathe air directly. However, they need to keep their gills moist to perform normal gas exchange. When their body surface is completely dry, this breathing method fails.