How do wrasses breathe under the sand?

[dizzy]

After spending a lot of time thinking about sand beds, I was wondering how wrasses can breathe down under the very fine silty layers that are O2 depleted. Is it possible that they might dive down in an anaerobic zone and not be able to get back out? Does their respiration slow down to almost nothing?

 

[Bill2]

It's not very anerobic if the wrasse wiggles in there. I'm sure he brings in some fresh water with him.

Some of the wrasses i've seen in the sand seem to be sticking their nose at the surface of the sand.

 

[danmhippo]

I have a canary wrass that always picks a spot near the glass at night. The sleeping den is actually fairly shallow, only about 1/2" down. However, I am pretty sure they can hide much deeper when they are threatened.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a canary wrass that always picks a spot near the glass at night. The sleeping den is actually fairly shallow, only about 1/2" down. However, I am pretty sure they can hide much deeper when they are threatened.

agree with dan-most of the wrasses don't seem to dig that deeply-sometimes their nose is actually visible, level with the top of the sand. the very narrow 'nose' is possibly an adaptation for this purpose.

even at a slightly greater depth-say an inch-it won't take many 'pumps' of breathing action to pull oxygenated water through the sand, to the wrasse.

 

[Anonymous]

one word:

snorkels

 

[dizzy]

I think some of the wrasses may go a bit further under than 1". I would think the deeper they go the more protection they have from predators. True story: I once saw a nurse shark suck a hiding slippery Richard wrasse(Halichoeres bivittatus) right out of the crushed coral substrate.
I think deeper is better.

 

[Anonymous]

I think some of the wrasses may go a bit further under than 1". I would think the deeper they go the more protection they have from predators. True story: I once saw a nurse shark suck a hiding slippery Richard wrasse(Halichoeres bivittatus) right out of the crushed coral substrate.
I think deeper is better.

hammerheads do this regularly-saw some cool footage on blue planet of 'em hunting red coris (gaimard/formosa) wrasses from the bottom sand beds-fascinating.they use the electrical fields from the fish's cns and muscles to locate 'em.

 

[Reefguide]

Dr. Reef:

Sorry but your wrong. Re-breathers are the answer !