Do fish hibernate?

[vole-woman]

It's a dozy question, probably, but I haven't a clue. I'm writing a scene in a story where, on Christmas night, a woman's looking out over a well-stocked fish lake. Would she be able to see fish breaking the surface every now and again (as happens in summer), or would the lake be completely still because the fish are, what, tucked up in the mud or something?

Any advice gratefully received.

[valleyforge]

Hi V-W,

Fish don't hibernate in the way you might associate with certain mammals, but because they are cold-blooded, their activity is greatly governed by water temperature ... and of course availability of food.

In summer, fish will be seen more at the surface as they are feeding on insects and other invertibrates that land on the water surface ... or they may have to spend more time at the surface in certain bodies of water due to a decrease in the volume of dissolved oxygen (and may be seen air gulping).

In winter, with fewer insects around, and much lower temperatures (allowing higher oxygen levels in the water), fish will more commonly be found at greater depths, sifting through bottom detritus or just resting up and surviving on the bodily reserves they have built up earlier in the year.

[vole-woman]

Thanks.

Hmm, might have to re-do that paragraph, then!

[vole-woman]

Would there be anything that would disturb the surface? (Apart from the wind.)

[Fritillary]

I think they can be in a pause. A friend have carps in the garden and during winter he doesnt feed them. The fish are swimming but moving slow during the cold temperatures.

Hybernation in mammals comprehend a series of physiological changes that produce the metabolisme goes down. Cold animals "hybernation" is a little different, but it is with a similar objective, a period of latencie while waiting for spring. Similar things happen to frogs, turtles or molluscs during winter.

[The Woodman]

Would there be anything that would disturb the surface? (Apart from the wind.)

Water voles?

[valleyforge]

Or mink

[Malcolm Banks]

The only things that were disturbing the surface of my pond with any regularity last winter were backswimmers(aka greater water boatman or Notonecta glauca). They do make quite a ripple but I guess they are not as romantic to mention as fish, depends on your target readership
M

[Phoebe]

When I had a fish pond I kept mainly koi and the only time they would surface during winter was if the temperature rose, then the occassional fish would surface. The water was crystal clear and the fish could be seen at the bottom

[vole-woman]

You wags, you!

Thanks for your help. I'll make it a "still night".