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Facultative air‐breathing fish can exchange respiratory gases using an air‐breathing organ (ABO), such as the oral cavity of the integument, during environmental hypoxia. The goby Gobionellus oceanicus inhabits areas subject to environmental hypoxia; however, its ABO is unknown. To investigate the respiratory potential of G. oceanicus, the gill and integument surface area, diffusion capacity, and their diffusion barrier thickness were measured. Our results show that although gill surface area is smaller than observed in other facultative air‐breathing fish, but it has all features necessary to perform aquatic gas exchange. Additionally the integument of the palate has a short diffusion barrier thickness and a large calculated O2‐diffusion capacity suggesting that it functions as the ABO.

This article describes the morphology of the respiratory surfaces, gills, and integument of the palate of the goby Gobionellus oceanicus (Pallas, 1770). We highlight the role of the palate integument's surface for air breathing in estuarine environments under probable hypoxia conditions. Such conditions can result from decreases in dissolved oxygen related to fluctuations in water level between tides, chemical composition, and increase in water temperature. Thus, a surface with respiratory characteristics can guarantee this fish's survival in environments that suffer constant variations.

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This article describes the morphology of the respiratory surface gills and integument of the palate of the goby Gobionellus oceanicus (Pallas, 1770). We highlight the role of the palate integument's surface for air breathing in estuarine environments under probable hypoxia conditions. Such conditions can result from decreases in dissolved oxygen related to fluctuations in water level between tides, chemical composition, and increase in water temperature. Thus, a surface with respiratory characteristics can guarantee this fish's survival in environments that suffer constant variations.

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This article describes the morphology of the respiratory surface gills and integument of the palate of the goby Gobionellus oceanicus (Pallas, 1770). We highlight the role of the palate integument's surface for air breathing in estuarine environments under probable hypoxia conditions. Such conditions can result from decreases in dissolved oxygen related to fluctuations in water level between tides, chemical composition, and increase in water temperature. Thus, a surface with respiratory characteristics can guarantee this fish's survival in environments that suffer constant variations.