I need a scientific explanation of how water temp. affects the breathing rate of fish.?

Question

I also need a reference to where you found you information please.


Thank you!

Mainly I am focusing on goldfish.

Answer 1

Fish are ectotherms, their body temp relies on the environment... Many will decrease their respiration as temperature decreases... this will cause their metabolism to slow down and they need less food during this time. Fish do this so that they can survive through short periods of environmental changes. *Some ectotherms lower their metabolic rate (chemical reactions slow down), therefore lowering the animals' oxygen requirements
Other fish, like sharks- will stay relatively activite during winter months by maintaining a high metabolic rate, which also requires an increase of food consumption (ie: Seal) and oxygen.

Answer 2

It's called "water intoxication". At the onset of this condition fluid outside the cells has an excessively low amount of solutes (such as sodium and other electrolytes) in comparison to that inside the cells, the fluid shifts through osmosis into the cells in order to balance its concentration. This causes the cells to swell. In the brain this swelling increases intracranial pressure (ICP). It is this increase in pressure which leads to the first observable symptoms of water intoxication: headache, personality changes, changes in behavior, confusion, irritability, and drowsiness. These are sometimes followed by difficulty breathing during exertion, muscle weakness, twitching, or cramping, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and a dulled ability to perceive and interpret sensory information. As the condition persists papillary and vital signs may result including bradycardia and widened pulse pressure. The cells in the brain may swell to the point where blood flow is interrupted resulting in cerebral edema. Swelled brain cells may also apply pressure to the brain stem causing central nervous system dysfunction. Both cerebral edema and interference with the central nervous system are dangerous and could result in seizures, brain damage, coma, or even death.