swim bladder

American  

noun

1. air bladder.

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swim bladder British  

noun

1. ichthyol another name for air bladder

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Etymology

Origin of swim bladder

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

This large fish is targeted because its swim bladder commands high prices on international black markets.

From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026

The vaquitas are caught and drown in illegal gill nets set for Totoaba, a Gulf fish whose swim bladder is considered a prized delicacy in China, worth thousands of dollars per pound.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2023

One large and endangered fish in the region, the totoaba, has made the situation particularly volatile because its swim bladder commands high prices in Asia, attracting illegal trafficking and organized crime.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2023

The swim bladder, an organ that helps the fish stay afloat, is highly prized in China for its perceived - though unproven - medicinal properties.

From BBC • May 5, 2022

It corresponds with the swim bladder of most modern fishes, and appears to have had a common origin with it.

From The Elements of Geology by Norton, William Harmon