How long could an anabantoid fish (eg betta, gourami) survive in air?

Question

Wikipedia says they can survive a short time out of water because of their labyrinth organ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabantoidei

(I'm not going to try it!)

Answer 1

Not long if you have a cat

i have heard story's of bettas that have jumped out of the bowl and survived overnight  

Answer 2

Really not very long.  Despite the fact that they breathe a little air from the labyrinth organ the mixture of gasses in air is not right for them.  We predominantly breathe nitrogen and oxygen in from the air and exhale carbon dioxide as a result, anabantoid fish want just a small sip of oxygen from the surface air and can't survive longer than about 10 minutes out of the tank.

Answer 3

The fish species presented here have the ability to breathe air from the surface of the tank when oxygen levels are low or depleted in the aquarium water. This ability comes from a specialized organ called the labryinth organ. If you are keeping one of these species, try to keep a bit of open space above the tank water for them to use this organ if necessary.

These fish also have the reputation of not getting along with members of the same species, especially bettas. Do not house multiple male bettas in the same tank. Use caution when the other species when keeping multiple males in the same tank

Answer 4

Dwarf gouramis are one of the two most widely sold gouramis (the other being the three-spot gourami), and virtually every aquarium shop will sell them. They are generally peaceful, accept flake food readily, and are not fussy about water chemistry (though soft, acid water is best). However, despite being widely sold and seemingly easy to keep, they are in fact not easy fish at all. As with any pet animal, it pays to do your research first.

Answer 5

they can survive a short time out of water because of their labyrinth organ

Answer 6

Not long. My uncle had a betta once and had the brilliant notion to place him in a bowl next to the kitchen sink while he went out to buy a tank for him. When he came back the little betta and jumped out of the bowl and was stuck in the drain hole in the sink. My uncle thought he was a goner, especially when he picked him up and he was dry, but he put him back in his bowl to see anyway and lo and behold, the betta sprang back to life and boy, was he mad. Lets just say my uncle never put him in a bowl again.

Answer 7

MY FISH LASTED LONG IT JUMPED OUT OF THE FISH TANK 1 HOUR BEFORE I CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL HE WAS MISSING AND I FOUND HIM BEHIND THE FURNITURE..STILL HOPPING THEN HE DIED

Answer 8

I would say about 20-30 minutes