Nature is full of surprises—and some of the most fascinating come from the world beneath the water’s surface. While we normally think of fish as creatures entirely dependent on water, a surprising number of species can survive on land, at least for a while. Some manage only a few hours, while others can live for days or even months without returning to the water.

This remarkable ability comes from special adaptations that allow them to breathe air directly, hunt in new environments, and survive droughts. Let’s take a closer look at nine extraordinary fish that can breathe outside of water.

Climbing Perch (Anabas)

At first glance, the climbing perch looks like an ordinary fish—but it hides an extraordinary secret. This invasive species can survive without water for up to six days. It has a specialized breathing organ that allows it to extract oxygen from the air, making it highly adaptable to changing environments.

During droughts, climbing perch often burrow into mud to wait for rain. Even more fascinating, they use the spiny rays of their pectoral fins to “walk” across land in search of food or new habitats.

Eel Catfish

Native to swampy regions of Central Africa, the eel catfish has an unusual hunting technique. When prey is within reach, it can push itself out of the water and strike on land.

Its secret lies in a unique suprabranchial organ that lets it breathe oxygen from the air. As long as its skin stays moist, the eel catfish can remain on land for extended periods. Underwater, it sucks in food through its mouth, but on land it lifts its body before snapping down on prey—two very different hunting strategies in one animal.

Four-Eyed Fish

The four-eyed fish doesn’t literally have four eyes, but it comes close. Each eye is split into two parts: one adapted to seeing above the water’s surface and the other below. This remarkable vision lets it monitor both worlds at once.

Four-eyed fish often linger at the water’s surface, but they can also survive brief periods on land. Their ability to breathe air allows them to endure tides and fluctuating water levels.

Mangrove Rivulus

Few fish are as adaptable as the mangrove rivulus. This small species can live on land for up to two months by making extraordinary physiological changes.

When out of water, it breathes through its skin, which functions much like gills. It also reconfigures its body chemistry: its gills conserve water and nutrients while waste products are expelled through the skin. Once it returns to the water, the process reverses.

The mangrove rivulus is also capable of unusual “flipping” jumps on land, using its tail to catapult its body forward.

Mudskipper

Perhaps the most famous amphibious fish, the mudskipper thrives both in water and on land. With their strong pectoral fins, mudskippers can crawl, hop, and even climb onto tree roots or branches. Some can leap distances of up to 60 centimeters.

Mudskippers trap water inside their gill chambers, which allows them to breathe for long stretches on land. They also absorb oxygen through the lining of their mouth and throat. Not only can they survive on land—they actively prefer it, foraging, defending territories, and even courting mates above the waterline.

Mummichog

The oddly named mummichog is one of the toughest fish on Earth. It can withstand extreme temperatures, sudden shifts in salinity, and low-oxygen waters.

What makes it even more remarkable is its ability to breathe directly from the air. In humid conditions, mummichogs can live for hours on land, making them highly resilient survivors in unpredictable environments.

Rockskipper (Coral Blenny)

As its name suggests, the rockskipper frequently leaves the water to explore tidal rocks and coral surfaces. It feeds on algae and even mates on land.

These little fish can survive for hours out of water as long as their bodies remain moist. Their amphibious habits make them well-suited to life in shallow, shifting coastal environments.

Snakehead Fish

The snakehead has earned a fierce reputation for its aggressive behavior, both in and out of the water. This predatory species uses its gills to breathe air, enabling it to wriggle across land in search of new ponds or prey.

Snakeheads can survive for up to four days on land, provided their skin stays damp. Known for their sharp teeth and territorial aggression, they have even been reported attacking humans, adding to their notorious status.

Woolly Sculpin (Clinocottus analis)

This hardy fish not only survives on land but also tolerates rapid changes in temperature and salinity. Woolly sculpins can remain out of water for up to 24 hours, venturing onto rocks to hunt, breed, or escape low-oxygen conditions.

Ambush predators by nature, they lie in wait for prey both underwater and on land. Their adaptability makes them one of the most versatile fish in their environment.

Nature’s Amphibious Wonders

From burrowing mud to tidal rocks, these fish prove that life finds a way in even the harshest conditions. Their ability to breathe on land not only ensures survival during droughts and low tides but also opens up new possibilities for feeding and reproduction.

The next time you imagine the boundary between land and water, remember: for some fish, that line is far blurrier than we think.