This fish blog will answer the major question, “Is fish an amphibian?” we will also discuss why a fish is not an amphibian, the common characteristics of a fish and an amphibian, and how you can identify whether your pet is a fish or an amphibian in an aquarium.
Is fish an amphibian?
No, fish are not amphibians. Amphibians live a part of their life on land and a part of them in the water while fish live most of their life in the water. The reproductive behavior of fish and an amphibian is also different.
Why is fish not an amphibian?
Following are the reasons why fish is not an amphibian:
Amphibians can live on land as well as in water
Amphibians can live on land as well as water but fishes cannot live on land so they are not amphibians. The early part of an amphibian life is in water but as soon as it grows it moves to the land where it lives most of its life. For breeding purposes, they come to water and lay their eggs known as spawns.
Amphibians have lungs
Amphibians have lungs that enable them to live on land while on the other hand, fishes don’t have lungs to live on land. Some fishes do possess lungs-like organs which enable them to breathe on land but for a limited time and if this organ stops, the fish dies on land.
Amphibians do not have lungs from the start of their life but they do develop them when they are moving to the land. The development of lungs takes place in the water and after that, the amphibians move to land.
Amphibians can mate on land
Amphibians can mate on land but they usually lay eggs in the water, especially the stagnant freshwater where the young ones are born.
On the other hand, fishes mate in the water and not on land and they lay eggs in the water which are dispersed in some cases, and in some cases, it sticks to the land or the territory in which the female is living.
In the case of fishes, the sperms are released into the water which can enter the eggs and fertilize them. In the case of amphibians, the sperms are deposited in the female tract and after that, the female lays eggs in the freshwater.
Amphibians undergo the hibernation process
The next difference is that amphibians undergo hibernation in the harsh climate while on the other hand, fishes undergo a torpor process which is different from the hibernation process of the fishes.
What are the common characteristics of fish and amphibians?
Following are the common characteristics of fish and amphibians:
Fish and amphibians can live in water
Fish and amphibians can live underwater. The early part of life is spent underwater by the amphibians but when they grow a little they move to the land for the rest of their life span.
Fish and amphibians have many things in common.
Fish and amphibians have gills
In the early part of their life, amphibians have gills that enable them to breathe underwater and extract oxygen from the water. Fishes’ entire life is spent underwater so they have gills for their entire life. Moreover, the gills change into lungs which function the same when amphibians are ready to breathe land air.
Fish and amphibians feed on small sea creatures
The next thing common between the fish and the amphibian is that fish and amphibians both can feed on small sea creatures which are healthy for both the fishes and the amphibians.
Fish and amphibians have scales on them
Fishes and some members of amphibians have scales on their bodies which may be due to their life in the water. The scales are then removed from the body because they are not needed on land.
How can you identify whether you have a fish or an amphibian in your aquarium?
Following are the things you should be looking at:
- The first thing you should look at is its mating behavior. Most amphibians lay eggs in spawn form, in clusters while fishes lay eggs dispersed.
- The next difference is they would be able to breathe on land and they will try to come out of the water when they are mature enough.
- The best way to learn about it is to visit your nearest vet who will tell you about your pet whether it is a fish or an amphibian.
Conclusion
In this fish blog, we answered the major question, “Is fish an amphibian?” we also discussed why fish are not amphibians, the common characteristics of a fish and an amphibian, and how you can identify whether your pet is a fish or an amphibian in an aquarium.
