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The fish we caught at 8AM yesterday were still pumping their gills at 12 when we hit the dock. Several flapped around on the deck and I thought they'd flip right into the water. I'm not sure if they can somehow convert oxygen out of the air to some extent (like a mudfish) or if they shut down their system so much that they don't need air. They are truly one of the toughest fish in the waters out there.
All yuks aside, I actually do know a longtime RI marine biologist who probably would know the answer to this. I'll have to ask him next time I see him.
From what divers have told me, and from what I've seen on those cable operated underwater cameras, they're very inquisitive, too. We had one run right into the camera face first this spring.
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