freezing goldfish

[cutie_monster]

i was wondering...i am going on a trip from hawaii to the west coast and driving to the east coast. i have always heard that when goldfish live outside in ponds and that when the water freezes and thaws out, they are still alive and it isn't even harmful to them (i heard they even like cold water better); almost like a state of suspended animation. i was wondering is it ok to freeze my 2 goldfish for transport across the country?

 

[_newbie_]

i dont know for sure but i wouldnt risk it. maybe do some :read: on the net?

 

[_newbie_]

i googled freezing goldfish and the first site said

Goldfish have been known to freeze in solid ice and survive but this is NOT recommended. If you let your fish freeze they might die and if they don't die, they will definitely be mad at you!

 

[_newbie_]

another site i went to had this

Humane Euthanization of a Pet Koi or Goldfish

The Freezing Method

We most often use the freezing method. Koi and goldfish bodies are controlled by water temperature. They go semi-dormant, into a sort of sleep during winter when water temperatures drop. If the water freezes solid the fish will die. Not all fish go into this dormant period and it wouldn’t be right to euthanize a tropical fish this way.

 

[budrecki]

Lets try it on you and see what happens :laugh:

(That would be a NO vote for goldfish freezing)

 

[Dangerdoll]

yeah, I would vote no, goldies will not survive being frozen. Their metabolism slows down remarkably, it doesn't stop all together.

 

[plah831]

interesting, cryogenics experiment with goldies :
I have to agree with everyone here, don't try it at home, folks.

The worst part of the freezing process is that the cells burst when ice crystals form and the water in their tissues expand. Does not sound fun or like anything I'd want to try on my fishies

 

[phanmc]

When people talk about goldfish ponds freezing solid and the fish surviving, I'm pretty sure they just meant that the pond surface has frozen solid and not the actual fishes themselves. Very few creatures can survive a deep freeze and goldfishes isn't one of them.

 

[webcricket]

When people talk about goldfish ponds freezing solid and the fish surviving, I'm pretty sure they just meant that the pond surface has frozen solid and not the actual fishes themselves. Very few creatures can survive a deep freeze and goldfishes isn't one of them.

Exactly, in deep ponds this happens. The first few inches of water freeze, the goldfish themselves do not freeze as they remain in the open water beneath the ice.

 

[fballguy]

I agree with the last 2 posts. The top of the water freezes and the goldfish swim underneath. The fish don't literally freeze, lol. :duh: