There is no fish that has no heart. All fish, like all vertebrates, need a heart to pump blood throughout their body.
How Fish Hearts Work
Fish hearts are simpler than those of mammals or birds, but they still perform the essential function of circulating blood. Here's a simplified explanation:
- Two Chambers: Fish hearts have two chambers: an atrium and a ventricle.
- Single Circulation: Blood flows through the heart only once per circuit.
- Gills: Blood is pumped to the gills, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
- Body: Oxygen-rich blood then flows to the rest of the body, delivering oxygen to tissues.
Common Misconceptions
The idea that some fish lack hearts might stem from a misunderstanding of the anatomy of simpler creatures. While some invertebrates, like jellyfish, don't have hearts, all fish do.
