Can fins sustain strenuous activity for longer periods than other fishes because of air breathing? If so, wouldn strong currents be a more likely niche than slow waters?
Air-breathing can reduce the recovery time after strenuous activity, which has been shown in both bowfin and gar. But bowfin are generally not too active in general (i.e. not continusly swimming), but are more ‘sit and wait’ predators that will strike at prey (or your favorite lure). But if they are active, chances are they will air-breathe more to help in the recovery process.
