How do tarpon breathe air?
Tarpon have a swim bladder, which is adapted for air breathing. The swim bladder is highly vascularized, which means it has a rich supply of blood vessels, and it connects to the throat of the fish. When a tarpon is rolling on the water surface, it is taking a breath of air. Its mouth opens as it surfaces; air is taken into the mouth. As the tarpon rolls back into the water, its mouth closes, and air is forced back into the swim bladder. Oxygen then passes from the swim bladder into the blood stream. Tarpon also use their gills for oxygen uptake. Air breathing frequency depends on oxygen content and temperature of the water.
