Breathe Deeply
Posted by Anonymous on March 13, 2005
Q: why are a fishes' oral movements greater than their operculum movements?
A: Wow, you've been observing and thinking! It took me a moment to think this over but I believe I have the correct answer. Water entering the oral cavity must come through a single opening - the mouth. Water leaving the oral cavity, leaves through 2 openings - the gill slits. I think too that the mouth movements also help to push water through the oral cavity so must be stronger in action than the opercles. Hope this answers you question.
John Wiessinger ( March 14, 2005)
Filed under: Fish