• Question from:Went Brown

Do Coelocanths have to swim to breathe?

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  • The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
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Hi Went,
Coelocanths, like other bony fish, have a rigid flap covering their gill opening called an operculum. This prevents water from flowing backwards through the gills which allows them to use their mouth like a pump to push water over their gills even when they are not actively swimming.