* Lack of Buoyancy: Water provides buoyancy, which supports a fish's body weight. Out of water, gravity pulls their bodies down, making movement difficult.
* Gill Function: Fish breathe using gills, which are adapted to extract oxygen from water. Out of water, their gills collapse and dry out, making it impossible for them to breathe.
* Muscle Function: Fish muscles work differently in water than in air. Out of water, their muscles can't function properly, causing them to flail and flop.
* Panic and Stress: Being out of water is a stressful situation for a fish. They are in a foreign environment, unable to breathe, and instinctively struggle to get back into the water. This panic leads to the frantic flopping movements.
The flopping is a desperate attempt to regain their balance, get back to water, and allow their gills to function again. It's important to remember that fish cannot survive long out of water and should be returned to their environment as quickly as possible.