Fish use their gills to extract oxygen from water. Oxygen dissolves into water from air, similar to how sugar dissolves. Water movement from waves, aerators, or aquaponic plant systems helps mix the oxygen throughout the water. When water boils, the heat causes dissolved oxygen to escape from the water.

1. Dissolved
Oxygen
How do our fish
breathe?
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2. What is happening when fish
breathe?
Fish use their
gills to get oxygen
out of the water!
Copyright 2012 The Aquaponic Source, Inc.

3. How does oxygen get into the
water?
Air
dissolves
in water
just
like sugar
does!
Copyright 2012 The Aquaponic Source, Inc.

4. How does the oxygen mix with the
water?
The waves in the ocean
The aerator or
water stream
from the plants
in tanks
Copyright 2012 The Aquaponic Source, Inc.

5. What is boiling?
The air that was
dissolved in the
water is escaping
because the water
is too hot!
Copyright 2012 The Aquaponic Source, Inc.