News Breathless: Reef fish cope with low oxygen By Susan Milius September 24, 2003 at 11:56 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Despite their seemingly idyllic surroundings, coral reef fish show unexpected toughness, according to a new analysis of fish respiration. REEF REFUGE. It may look like paradise, but have the fish hiding among these coral spikes adapted to an oxygen shortage? Nilsson In the first tests of low-oxygen tolerance among reef fish, all 31 species captured off the coast of Australia did surprisingly well, says Göran E.