ABSTRACT
The reedfish Calamoichthys calabaricus (Smith) is amphibious, making voluntary excursions on to land (in a simulated natural environment) an average of 6 + 4 times/day for an average duration of 2·3 ± 1·3 min.
Oxygen uptake is achieved by the gills, skin and large, paired lungs. In water at 27 °C, total oxygen uptake is 0·088 ml O2/g. h. The lungs account for 40%, the gills 28%, and the skin 32% of total 
.
Total oxygen uptake during 2 h of air exposure increases from 0·117 ml O2/g.h to 0·286 ml O2/g.h, due largely to an enhanced lung 
and a small increase in skin 
.
Calamoichthys is both capable of aerial gas exchange and adapted to maintain O2 uptake during brief terrestrial excursions.
