Anabantoids

Betta fish can breathe out of water…if they need to!

Sugar

The anabantoids are also known as labyrinth fishes, which, unlike most other fishes, often do not rely primarily on the gills for respiration. The gills of labyrinth fishes are relatively small and primarily excrete the waste products ammonia and carbon dioxide. In fact, many labyrinth fishes are obligate air breathers, meaning they must breathe at the surface to survive. Other fishes have evolved a number of solutions to allow them to breathe air, including lungs and modifications to their gut and skin. Labyrinth fishes take their name from a specialized air-breathing structure called the labyrinth organ. Labyrinth fishes have paired chambers located above the gills which are extensions of the first gill arch. These chambers contain complex, folded, bony structures covered with respiratory epithelium (the labyrinth organ), allowing them to breathe air.

EVOLUTION, CULTURE, AND CARE FOR BETTA SPLENDENS
Craig Watson, Matthew DiMaggio, Jeffrey Hill, Quenton Tuckett, and Roy Yanong

Read more
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA212

Quixotic


Quixotic: Adjective

Definition: Exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical, often in pursuit of noble but unattainable goals.

Origin: Derived from the character Don Quixote in Miguel de Cervantes’ novel “Don Quixote,” known for his chivalrous but impractical adventures and relentless pursuit of romantic ideals.

Example Sentence: Her quixotic attempt to change the world overnight was met with skepticism, as her goals seemed admirable but unrealistic.


The phrase “tilting at windmills” originates from Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel “Don Quixote.” In the story, the main character, Don Quixote, a delusional and idealistic knight-errant, mistakenly perceives ordinary windmills as giants. Believing it to be his noble duty to fight against these imagined giants, he charges at them with his lance.

The phrase “tilting at windmills” has since become a metaphor in English literature and language. It is used to describe someone who is engaged in a futile or idealistic quest, often battling perceived enemies or injustices that others see as imaginary or exaggerated. In a broader sense, it signifies pursuing impractical or impossible goals with great zeal and determination.


Read “Don Quixote” here.