Why do fish sometimes gulp at the surface of a pond?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do fish sometimes gulp at the surface of a pond?

The Big Idea

Sometimes fish gulp at the pond's surface! It looks strange. Why do they do it?

Dissolved Oxygen

Step one: Dissolved Oxygen. Fish breathe oxygen that's dissolved in the water. They take it in through their gills.

Running Low

Step two: Running Low. In hot, still weather, oxygen in a pond can run low, especially at night. Lots of algae or decaying plants can use it up.

At the Top

Step three: At the Top. When oxygen is low, some fish rise to the surface and gulp at the thin top layer where air mixes in. If they do this a lot, it can be a sign the pond is stressed.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Fish need it. Lowers it. Runs low. Use it up.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Fish gulping at the surface is most common at dawn, after oxygen has been used up all night. Fish breathe with gills. Oxygen drops at night. A stressed pond.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, visit a pond at dawn. Stay well back from the edge. Watch the surface quietly. Count any fish gulping. Write down what you see.

Outro

Fish breathe oxygen dissolved in water, but in hot, still weather oxygen can run low, especially at night when algae and decaying plants use it up. Then fish gulp at the surface, and if it happens a lot, the pond may be stressed. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!