Why Do Saltwater Fish Die When Put in Freshwater?
Saltwater fish die due to the fact their bodies cannot adjust to the high concentration of chemicals within a freshwater environment. When fresh water enters the gills of a saltwater fishes nervous system, the system will shut down as the cells fill with water. This occurrence can lead to a painful death for the saltwater fish.
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Considerations
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According to Ken Burton a wild life expert with Enature.com, a saltwater fish holds a small concentration of salt within its body. Saltwater fish need to intake water constantly to remain upright in water. In addition, saltwater fish must constantly pass urine due to the fact their bodies cells hold a small concentration of salt, smaller than what is normally found in ocean water.
Osmosis
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According to Merriam-webster.com osmosis is the process to which water molecules travels in and out of cells. Osmosis is the sole reason why a saltwater fish cannot live in freshwater. According to Allsands.com, saltwater fish allow more water to enter their bodies to flush out the salt. A saltwater fish placed in fresh water would allow too much fresh water to enter its cells and organs, which in turn would lead to the drowning of the fish.
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Fresh Water
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According to Liveaquaria.com ocean water measures 25 percent salinity and the pH of salt water in tropical fish tanks measures 8.0 to 8.4. Salt-water aquarium temperatures average around 78 to 80 degrees F and have a high concentration of minerals that do not exist in freshwater. Furthermore, according to Liveaquaria.com freshwater holds too many phosphates and additional chemicals that are associated with pollutants in freshwater. Saltwater fish cannot survive in water that has high concentration of pollutants.
Saltwater Fish Respond to Fresh Water
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In order for a fish to breathe, water must flow through the gills. Unlike freshwater fish that must replenish and retain enough salt in their cells, saltwater fish have an overabundance of salt within their cells preventing them from dehydrating. Saltwater fish over time have developed the proper balance of freshwater so not to become dehydrated. However, placed in a freshwater environment, a saltwater fish's nervous system cannot adapt quickly enough to the change in water concentration. This occurrence cause fish cells to burst, as the cells have no method to rid the body of this excess water.
Adaptations
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Saltwater is not just made up of salt as the water holds various compounds that are essential to the survival of saltwater fish species. The genetic differences between fresh water and saltwater fish allow saltwater fish cells to handle the salt in the water. One exception to a saltwater fish living in freshwater is wild salmon. Various species of salmon have the ability to live in both freshwater and saltwater for extended periods. The salmon's body enables it to hold a certain amount of salt. Salmon can absorb or dissolve freshwater due to the levels of salt within the layer of its skin.
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- Photo Credit aquarium fish image by Rade Cojbasic from Fotolia.com
