All varieties of goldfish and koi are branded ‘invasive species’ in the state of New York. Invasive species? Yeah, you read it right the first time. It means that they must not be knowingly released into the wild – a lake or pond where other fish live. The reason, you ask? They grow to giant size (by goldfish yardstick) and are harmful to the ecosystem.
“Please don’t release your pet goldfish into ponds and lakes! They grow bigger than you think and contribute to poor water quality by mucking up the bottom sediments and uprooting plants,” tweeted the official account of the City of Burnsville. Burnsville was once a farming community and is now home to more than 60,000 residents. “Groups of these large goldfish were recently found in Keller Lake,” tweeted @BurnsvilleMN as it shared images of overgrown, hamster-sized goldfish.
When does that tiny little thing you buy at the pet store for a few dirhams become a threat to the environment? When it is released in a lake or a pond and it bloats to the size of a football. The aquarium at your home is the best place for your pet goldfish
Officials warned recently that “pet owners should never release their aquatic organisms into the wild” after an angler caught a 16in goldfish. “The introduction of goldfish to waterbodies is illegal in Virginia. Pet owners should never release their aquatic organisms into the wild as unforeseen impacts can occur including disease, competition, and predation,” the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources wrote in a Facebook post.
“The introduction of goldfish to waterbodies is illegal in Virginia. Pet owners should never release their aquatic organisms into the wild as unforeseen impacts can occur including disease, competition, and predation,” Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources wrote in a Facebook post.
“DON’T DUMP PETS: Tim Owings caught this 9-pound butterfly koi goldfish at Blue Springs Lake Remembrance over the weekend. When pet owners dump ornamental fish like this, it can cause serious issues for native species. Instead of dumping aquarium fish, check with local pet stores who may take them back, or connect with aquarium clubs in your city,” the Missouri Dept. of Conservation said in a Facebook post.
“Instead of dumping aquarium fish, check with local pet stores who may take them back, or connect with aquarium clubs in your city,” the Missouri Dept. of Conservation said in a Facebook post.
It is estimated that as many as 200 million goldfish are bred each year.
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