Walking fish? These 8 species have mastered life beyond water
We usually picture fish as sleek swimmers, gliding effortlessly through rivers, oceans, or lakes. Water is where they belong– or so we think.
But in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, a few remarkable fish are proving that the rules of nature aren't always so rigid.
When their surroundings dry up or become unpredictable, these species do the unthinkable: they leave the water behind and head out across land.
Some inches across the mud. Some scale rocks. A few even "walk." Their movements may be slow or awkward, but they're enough to help them find shelter, escape danger, or wait out a drought.
Here are eight such species that are changing the way we look at life underwater.
Mudskipper
These quirky little fish are a common sight in Indo-Pacific mangroves, often seen out of water more than in it.
Mudskippers use their strong front fins to hop and scoot across muddy surfaces. They also have a clever way of breathing through their skin and mouth lining, which keeps them going even when the tide's out.
Lungfish
Spread across Africa, South America, and Australia, lungfish are survivors from another age. They're one of the few fish with both lungs and gills. When their lakes or rivers dry up, they burrow into the ground and go into a kind of hibernation, surviving for months without a single drop of water.
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Longlure Frogfish
This one doesn't leave the sea, but it still moves in an unusual way. Found in the coral reefs of the western Atlantic, the longlure frogfish walks along the ocean floor using its fins. It's a slow mover, but that helps it sneak up on prey without being noticed.
Climbing Perch
Native to Southeast Asia and parts of India, the climbing perch has a talent for land travel. When water sources run low, it pushes itself along using its gill plates and body strength to find another pond.
It also breathes air, which lets it survive for hours outside of water.
Cave Angel Fish
Found deep inside Thailand's caves, this rare species is unlike most others. It can climb, thanks to modified pelvic fins, and it's one of the few fish known to move vertically, even up waterfalls. Living in total darkness, it's adapted in extraordinary ways to survive.
Walking Catfish
Originally from Southeast Asia and now found in places like Florida, this fish is known for traveling across land when it rains heavily.
It uses its fins to wiggle along wet ground, moving between ponds and flooded areas. With the ability to breathe air, it's built for unstable conditions.
Lithogenes Wahari
This Venezuelan catfish doesn't leave the water, but it has its own way of getting around. It uses pelvic fins to cling to rocks and 'walk' along the bottom of fast-flowing rivers. It's designed to handle powerful currents that would knock most fish off course.
Epaulette Shark
Off the coast of Australia, the small but fascinating epaulette shark uses its fins to crawl between tidepools when the water gets too shallow. It can survive in low-oxygen environments for hours– a rare trait in the shark world. It's an expert at navigating the tricky terrain of reef flats.
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