Can goldfish survive in a frozen pond?

Provided a pond does not freeze solid and is of the appropriate depth, goldfish should be able to survive the winter. If the pond is very shallow — such as with a backyard pond — or freezes into one complete block of ice, the fish will freeze and die.

When the temperatures drop and the top of the pond freezes over, the fish will move down to the depths, seeking out the still liquid water that is warmer. As the temperature drops here, the fish's metabolism will slow until the fish stops moving, misleading owners to believe the fish is frozen.