Scientists have discovered how goldfish are able to survive for months in ice-covered ponds and lakes. While humans are only able to last for a few minutes without oxygen, goldfish have evolved a remarkable ability that enables them to last months in water that has completely frozen over.The exact mechanism behind this has long remained a bit of a mystery, but now a new study has revealed, for the first time, exactly what it is that keeps the fish alive for such a long time.
The answer, it turns out, is alcohol. Normally when an animal is starved of oxygen it experiences a build-up of lactic acid which proves fatal if they are unable to get rid of it. To solve this problem, goldfish have developed the ability to convert this lactic acid in to alcohol so that it can be safely dispersed through the gills.
The longer they are starved of oxygen, the more intoxicated the fish become.
“If you measure them in the field the blood alcohol goes up above 50mg per 100 millilitres, which is the drink-drive limit in Scotland and northern European countries,” said Dr Michael Berenbrink.
“So they are really ‘under the influence’.”
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