Goldfish Respiration Experiment Directions

 

1. Tell kids that you can tell when a fish breathes by observing:
It gulps water with its mouth.
The gill covers open up on the sides of the fish.
2. Write problem Statement on board
How does temperature affect respiration rates of goldfish?
Have kids write down what they think will happen?
3. Pass out the fish in mini aquariums with room temperature 15-20 C water.
4. Pass out the thermometer.
5. Put the thermometer in the cup and read.  Should be 15-17° C
This will be room temperature water.
6. Record temperature. On Goldfish Respiration Chart page 10
7. Time 60 seconds and count the number of times the goldfish breathes. 
8. Record number on data sheet.
9. Raise the temperature by adding warm water. Try to get 21°- 25° C
10. Repeat steps #6-8 Two more times
11. Record number of breaths on data sheet.
12. Lower the temperature by adding more ice.  Try to get 10°- 14° C
13. Repeat steps #6-8
14. Lower the temperature again by adding more ice.  Try to get 5°- 10° C
15. Repeat steps #6-8
16. Total the data sheet and find the average for each one of the trials.