When a marine fish was taken from the ocean and put in a tank of fresh water, it died after a short period because?
Answer Details
The likely reason the marine fish died after being put in a tank of fresh water is that the body cells of the fish swelled and burst as a result of the hypotonic freshwater. Marine fish are adapted to live in saltwater, which is hypertonic compared to their body fluids. As a result, their cells are adapted to pump out excess water and retain salt. When they are placed in freshwater, which is hypotonic compared to their body fluids, water rushes into their cells, causing them to swell and eventually burst. This can lead to a range of problems, including organ failure and death. Therefore, it's important to acclimate fish properly before transferring them to a new tank or environment.