The answer to the question of whether fish catches a cold is simple: no. This is because fish have no lungs, airways or noses to breathe. This is why you will never see a fish coughing or having a runny nose. Of course, this does not mean that the fish will not get sick.

“The gills are covered with a type of mucus that acts as a protective barrier. When this mucus breaks down, it can cause holes to appear for viruses to enter the animal’s body. But you wouldn’t define this infection as coughing or sneezing.”– says Nauvink of the University of Ghent in Belgium.

Just as airborne viruses have evolved to attack the lungs, waterborne viruses have evolved to attack the gills, Phys.org reports.

Nauwink notes that crustaceans, including shrimp, have additional protection. These creatures are incredibly resistant to viruses, partly because they are covered with a hard shell or cuticle.