Fast temp drops can cause havoc on many pond fish species. It can even lead to death. As cold blooded animals their metabolism drops quickly with rapid temp changes. Lipid (fat) imbalances occur , muscles stiffen and death can follow.


A PB mag article in the next issue discusses this - it is one issue to late for timing purposes. If you aren't a PB mag subscriber you need to order a subscription. Here is one tidbit from the article.

It is believed that the lipid composition in the fish muscle plays a vital role in the ability of fish to adapt from one temperature to another. First, temperature determines the rate of chemical reactions, and secondly, temperature dictates the point of balance between the formation and disruption of the macromolecular structures in biological membranes. Structural flexibility, therefore, is a requirement for integrity of biological membranes. Cold temperatures constrain this flexibility. The fat apparently hardens in the colder water, causing the fat-impregnated muscles to stiffen and the fish to become exhausted and lose movement followed by death.

At 70F BG should be very active and consuming lots of food.

Brown plankton often occurs late in the summer plankton growing season as we move toward fall.

Last edited by ewest; 10/02/18 12:26 PM.