What happens to fish that are swallowed whole?

[Kim]

So basically its a combination of stomach acid, stomach muscles, and asphyxiation. Someone needs to slip a tiny camera in with a school of baitfish as humpbacks are feeding.

Where's David Attenborough when you need him!

 

[PavoDive]

If the fish can speak whale, he/she can just get a ride to Sydney

Sorry, couldn't avoid the temptation

I'd go with the acids, but seems to me that most bony fishes would have those grinding theet??

G.P.

 

[DavidPT40]

I just read in "Mysteries of the Sea" that sperm whales have been found with live fish and squid in their stomaches.

 

[STOGEY]

Think of the poor goldfish that used to be swallowed whole by sub-humans.

Yes but at least they were crackers.

 

[Machiavelli]

Do fish have stomach acid?

 

[DiveGolfSki]

I know this is kind of a strange question, but it is marine related. When a whale or large fish swallows a small fish whole (and alive), what actually kills the fish? ....

That is a very strange question. Ask Jonah.

Better yet, you can ask these guys:

 

[serambin]

"Like wow man, I think something just swallowed me." Then he flounces a few times and realizes it's time for a really, really long nap. He's getting sooo sleepy and then . . .

Stan

I just love a great bedtime story, don't you? :bfish: :crossbone

 

[serambin]

Where's David Attenborough when you need him!

Where is Emeril Lagasse when you need him?

Stan

 

[DavidPT40]

Well, I finally found the answer to my question. The fish suffocate to death. When a whale swallows fish whole, the fish go into a non-enzyme secreting stomach. Here, anaerobic bacteria slowly break down the fish into a soup, which passes through a small opening into the other stomachs.

Anchovys in a Bryde's whale stomach

Salmon in a minke whale's stomach

From the pictures, it looks like the stomach may not move much. The fish appear to be intact.

 

[Kim]

From the pictures, it looks like the stomach may not move much. The fish appear to be intact.

The Japanese eat some small fish alive and whole. They just swallow them.

Having tried a few I can assure you that they don't come out intact at the other end!