In a recent discovery made by officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a giant goldfish measuring several tens of centimeters in length was found in the wild. This oversized goldfish, likely released by individuals, poses a threat to the ecological balance. Therefore, the authorities urge people not to release their pet goldfish haphazardly into the wild.
The incident took place at Presque Isle State Park in Erie County, Pennsylvania, where researcher Corey Ketchum stumbled upon the unusually large goldfish during an electrofishing survey. The Fish and Wildlife Service shared a photo on Facebook showing Ketchum holding the giant goldfish, visibly larger than his own hand.
According to the agency, goldfish purchased from pet stores can grow to monstrous sizes in the wild after two years, resembling a “Megalodon”, an extinct prehistoric giant shark and fish species.
The agency expressed concern that the seemingly well-intentioned act of releasing pet goldfish into the wild can lead to long-lasting invasive issues. Goldfish breeding in the wild can cause water bodies to become murky, compete for local fish food sources, and degrade water quality.
It is emphasized that if one can no longer care for their pet fish, they should find a new home for it rather than releasing it into the wild.
On their website, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides guidelines on responsibly parting ways with goldfish. A photo on the website shows a man holding a massive goldfish found in the Niagara River, which has since been removed.
The agency warns that goldfish are invasive species, not native to natural habitats, and their release can severely impact local species. A single released goldfish can grow up to 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms), potentially disrupting the entire ecosystem and harming native fish populations.
Goldfish population can quickly proliferate as they spawn multiple times in a season, without natural predators in most North American waterways, leading to a rapid increase in their numbers.
Additionally, goldfish can spread diseases carrying parasites and illnesses that local fish species may not have immunity to, causing a ripple effect in the ecosystem.
For those seeking to rehome unwanted goldfish, three options are suggested by the agency: relocating to willing caretakers, returning to pet stores or retailers, and contacting local aquariums or rescue groups for assistance.
Releasing pets into the wild is discouraged as most pets struggle to survive in natural environments, potentially becoming invasive species that harm local fauna. Similar incidents of discovering giant goldfish in the wild have been reported previously, such as in Burnsville, Minnesota, where oversized goldfish were found in Keller Lake in 2021.
Officials in Burnsville cautioned against discarding unwanted goldfish in lakes as they can grow into behemoths, posing a threat to local fish species survival.