Do any fish have both gills and lungs?

In one line

The rule

Some fish, called "lungfish" and a few others, have both gills and lungs. This helps them survive in water and on land for short times.

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you are swimming underwater. You need to come up to breathe, right? Fish usually use gills (special organs) to take oxygen from water. But some fish live in places where water dries up or has very little oxygen. So, they have a backup system — lungs (like humans) to breathe air when needed.

Think of it like having both a cycle and a scooter. If the road is rough, you use the cycle. If it is smooth, you use the scooter. These fish use gills when the water is good, and lungs when they need air.

How it works

1. The fish uses gills to take oxygen from water, just like most fish.
2. When the water has less oxygen or dries up, the fish comes to the surface.
3. It uses its lungs to gulp air, just like you take a deep breath.
4. The fish can switch between gills and lungs as needed.
5. This helps it survive in ponds or rivers that sometimes dry up.

The story behind it

Scientists found fish with both gills and lungs in places where water is not always available. The best-known example is the lungfish. Lungfish live in Africa, South America, and Australia. They can survive dry seasons by breathing air and even burying themselves in mud.

Where you see it in real life

• African lungfish: Lives in rivers that dry up. Uses gills in water, lungs in air.
• Walking catfish (found in India and Southeast Asia): Can breathe air with a special organ, moves on land when ponds dry up.
• Bichir (Polypterus, found in Africa): Has both gills and lungs, can survive out of water for some time.
• Climbing perch (found in India): Can breathe air and move between ponds.
• Mudskipper: Lives in muddy areas, breathes through skin and mouth lining, but not true lungs.

Why it matters

• Shows how animals adapt to tough environments.
• Helps scientists understand evolution (how animals changed over time).
• Useful for studying how breathing works in different animals.
• Some of these fish are important in local fishing and food.

Common mistakes

• Thinking all fish only have gills. Some have both gills and lungs.
• Confusing lungs with other air-breathing organs (like skin or mouth lining).
• Believing these fish can live on land forever. They still need water to survive for long.

Remember it

Some fish, like lungfish, have both gills and lungs — they are the “dual breathers” of the fish world.