Metabolism is the general term for the different chemical activities which occur in an organism. The faster these activities occur, the greater the rate of metabolism. Fish are poikilothermic (or what is usually referred to as cold-blooded), which means that they can not regulate their own body temperature. As metabolic rate is influenced by body temperature, a fish’s metabolism is determined by the temperature of the surrounding environment. As the temperature of the pond rises the fish’s metabolism will rise and the fish will require more food, use more oxygen and produce more waste.