FISH WHICH DROWN?

Tell people that there are fish which actually drown when deprived the chance to gulp at atmospheric air and they will think that you believe that cheese is found on the Moon. To prove that you know what you are talking about point them towards the labyrinth fish of Africa and Asia which have the ability to store 'gulped' air in a special labyrinth organ which, in turn, allows this air to be turned into oxygen when natural oxygen levels in water become very low. Amazingly, if denied the chance to take atmospheric air, the labyrinth organ, slowly, stops working and effectively drowns the host specie. Of the labyrinth species one of our favourites is the Zulu Perch, Ctenopoma ocellatum, beautifully photographed for Communigate by Mr. Arthur Frisby of the Wyke Show Society. Our secretary, Mr. David Marshall, recently wrote an interesting article which covers both the natural and aquarium history of this beautiful fish - which originates from the Congo River area of Zaire. This article was premiered on the Northern Tropicals website and you can find it by going to:- http://www.northtrop.co.uk/zuluperch.html