How do fish survive when???

Question

How do fish survive when water freezes in winter? Don't the fish freeze or does the bottom part of the water don't freeze so the fish can survive?

Answer 1

In the water only a top portion freezes up so the bottom is fine but just a little cold so they do indeed hibernate.

Answer 2

fish can be alive and freeze solid and thaw and swim away. all fish are cold blooded and as a result will suspend in time without damage to what little brain cells actually do exist.

Answer 3

Lakes and ponds, rivers and streams never freeze top to bottom.  The water under the ice is cold, near freezing and can be warmer as depth increases.  The cold water and ice trap warm water beneath it.  So, no the fish don't freeze.  If the fish froze there would not be any fish in the water each spring.

However, their metabolism is greatly reduced.  All their activities are reduced.  Some fish do not feed all winter long.

Answer 4

It depends on the type of fish. Some burrow in the mud below lakes. Also, all the water in a pond does not freeze. There is only a layer. The ice dividing the air and the water(i know its wierd) keeps the water warmer than the air. Antartic krill survive mean temps in this way. It is very rare that a whole lake freezes to the bottom. Also, most fish would die if they were completely frozen. A very few types of salamanders and frogs, like the gray tree frog produce antifreeze. Without this antifreeze, which little or no fish have, their cells will rupture and be damaged by the ice crystals. If you ever put a carrot in water and put it in the freezer. Then thawed it. It turns to soft mush.