Fish Winter Hibernation

[Magzire]

So whats actually going on here? Are they aware or sleeping?
When i go to check on them they are all pretty much all stationary with only small movement with water between 6-8C. Once the water went back to 10C they seemed very active.. some were playing. I thought this was odd.

Also i fed them some wheatgem at 10C.. some nice weather in Ireland mid december.. last week it reached 16C, now back to -0

 

[Magzire]

Is it best not to disturb them when they are in that stationary mode?

 

[MitchM]

Fish are cold blooded, so their body temperature is the same as the water temperature.
Biological processes slow down as the temperature decreases, so they will be less active as the temperature drops.
It is best to leave them alone.

 

[addy1]

Mine float in place, with a occasional movement. The pond water is 34f 1.1 c

 

[ChrisP]

This weekend I melted a hole in the ice where I could see them*. Swimming around, but overall sluggish.

I asked them if they were cold, and one shubunkin replied, "What's cold? We have no concept of temperature."

Smart fish.




* The hole from the bubbles is in a shallow uninhabited part of the pond.