why fish often swim near the surface of the water?
82203
Fish can often be seen gulping air from the surface during heat waves when oxygen in the water is depleted, other fish eat from the surface
453845
Because of osmotic pressure.\n\nThe water in the fish's body is full of impurities.  You know, fish parts.  Osmosis causes water to flow automatically to less "pure" concentrations.  So, a freshwater fish has no need to drink, the water is simply pumping into it's cells.  In fact, it has to work extra hard to get waste water out of it's system so it doesn't swell up and explode!\n\nSaltwater fish have the opposite problem.  The salt in the water turns the osmotic pressure around and the oceans are constantly pumping water out of saltwater fish.  They have to drink to make up for it.
448566
Because the ocean is fricking huge.  The electricity dissipates.  So if you happen to be swimming nearby, you'll probably get fried a bit, but if you're miles away, you won't even notice.
589999
It is actually easier for fish to live in salt water than fresh water because the ionic balance of the water is closer to that of their own blood. Fresh water fish constantly have to pump out the excess water they accumulate due to osmosis. Marine mammals (seals, whales etc) maintain their ionic balance in water by having protective compounds in their skin which acts as a waterproof barrier.
361002
The convection of heat in the water carries warm water from the bottom of the water, nearest the warm earth, to the surface and back.\nThis motion maintains enough warmth throughout the water to prevent the fish from freezing.  The bodies of the fish also enables them to survive in near freezing temperatures by moving constantly.\nConvection always occurs, in Summer and Winter.  And the pattern never changes.
520418
have'nt you heard when it rains a lot the rain washes the food to the fish and they want bite.
736637
They are deep fish which are rare to catch off a beach - try off South End Pier\n\nOr if in a boat sand banks in the North Sea
766856
THERE'S A LOT OFspace in the ocean \nthe water deeper inthe ocean is slightly  hot coz of high pressure \nthus fish survive compensating the dverse conditions
16739
It depends on the fish.  Salmon are spawned in fresh-water lakes and swim to the sea only to return as adults up rivers and dams to their birth lakes to repeat the cycle.  Some fish live in brackish water that is part fresh and part salt water which changes with the tides.  Some fish cannot adapt from fresh to salt water or vice versa.
35913
Well, generaly, a large fish is bound to only swim in the ocean because there is enough space for it. Also it depends if the fish lives in salt water versus fresh water.
105354
the first response is mostly correct, fish have air bladders and most benthic fish (bottom dwelling) rarely leave the tremendous depths that they live in.  think about a whale which breathes air as we do, they can dive to well beyond the crushing depths of submarines, yet they have no problems with going up and down the water column all the time. they physics behind this are simply, they are adapted to their environment, whcih is the case of whales is both the surface and the lower levels of the ocean. \n\nwhales are a fascinating case, they are able to collect the dangerous by-products of deep diving in their bodies, either through air bladders and special ability to remove toxic gasses from their blood, but they are essentially mammals like humans; obviously you know they breathe the same air we do.  interesting question.  please read more about the ocean if you are interested click the link
685001
in a calm sea, it should be easier to swim since the water density is higher allowing you to float easily.\nbut then depending on factors like waves and river speeds, your experience could vary!
42743
It is called the dead sea because there is not alot of life in it...however the good news is its hard to get things to sink there.  The reason for both of these thigns is the salt content of the water, things cant live if teh water is to salty.  The reason things float is because water is more dense when there are other minerals and compounds in it, thats why its easier to float in the ocean, just think of the dead sea as an ocean with lots more salt\n\nhope this helps!!
140188
I bet you could look this up on the web pretty easily. Why didn't you try?\n\nI bet the diffusivity is pretty good, however, because otherwise, how could fish breathe?
1062365
no, because fish have gills (breathe on the outside) unlike us we have lungs in the inside.  In my aquarium tank I have a small mouth Bass & Yellow Perch, when i feed my bass minnows he would have three minnows in it's mouth (minnows literally sticking out it's mouth)/ my perch as well.  They will swim around with half a minnow sticking out it's mouth and act like it's no big deal.  You will see this with bluegill they will take the worm and swim around with it hanging out it's mouth.  I just feed my fish (thanks for reminding me) and I took pictures so if you want to see them just e-mail and I'll send it to you.  \n-About the dead smaller fish stuck in it's throat some fish I catch may puke up fish due to exhaustion.  When i go fishing for walleyes and northern pike I've had them cough up fish on me.  I've had bass do the same.  \n-Death? He could have died due to foul hooking (not meaning snagging) but if it hook in the middle or back of the throat can kill any fish especially if it's kept out of the water to long, just cut the line and release.  It doesn't work out all the time.
303482
Because you can swim and you can fish but if you catch a swim, you would have to fish with flippers on.  If this doesn't make sense, I blame it on the beer.
1184568
With the exception of lungfish, most fish don't last long out of water because they can't breathe.  They die within minutes As well, they can't move at all so they are sitting prey for predators. In hot weather, they also dry out quickly.