What physiological structure facilitates air breathing in the walking catfish, *Clarias batrachus*?

The labyrinth organ

The ability of the walking catfish to breathe air directly from the atmosphere is attributed to a specialized organ situated in the head region known as the labyrinth organ. This structure is analogous to that found in other air-breathing fish like bettas and gouramis. It is constructed from numerous folds of bone that are covered by a thin layer of tissue and skin, featuring a rich supply of blood vessels. When the fish surfaces and gulps air, the oxygen is extracted as the air passes over this highly vascularized organ. This adaptation is critical for the fish's survival in water bodies that frequently become anoxic, meaning they are deficient in dissolved oxygen, which is common in stagnant or densely vegetated tropical waters.