Because of a larger-than-usual find in Pennsylvania, officials are warning people what can happen when “cute” turns into “brute.” They want to remind people that leaving a pet goldfish in the wild can cause an “invasive problem that can last decades.”
According to a post on Facebook by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on Tuesday, February 25, scientists recently found and brought back to life what they are calling a “megalodon” goldfish while electrofishing in a Presque Isle State Park stream.
The agency is now using the find to tell people of the reason the aquatic animal “isn’t supposed to be here.”
“Someone let it go because they thought they were being nice. In its place, they made an invasive problem that could last for decades, the USFWS said in a description.
“Goldfish grow massive in the wild, where they can turn lakes and waterways into murky messes, steal food from native fish, and wreck water quality,” the agency said. “Give your fish to someone else if you can’t keep it. “Don’t let it go.”
After sharing a picture of Corey Ketchum, an employee of the USFWS, holding the fish—which looks a lot bigger than a normal goldfish—the group added the hashtag “#InvasiveSpeciesWeek.” The USFWS also shared a picture in the comments part of another agency worker holding the fish with two hands.
“From cute to brute,” the agency wrote under the picture.
Along with some advice on “how to break up with your goldfish,” the USFWS also added to a commenter’s worry about goldfish being used as bait.
“Goldfish can be used as bait in 16 states.” The USFWS made it clear that each state sets its own fishing rules, so it’s up to each state to decide what kinds of bait fish are allowed. “We always tell fishermen not to throw away their bait when they’re done fishing.” One of the many ways that invasive species and pathogens get into rivers is by dumping bait.
National Geographic says that a goldfish live for an average of 41 years and can weigh more than 5 pounds in the wild. As was already said in late 2023, goldfish have become a problem in the Great Lakes. At that time, an expert said that “millions” of them were moving around.
The USFWS website says that wild goldfish can “balloon into giant, football-sized invaders that compete with native species for food and habitat.” Because they eat at the bottom, the species can make the water cloudy, stir up sediment, and pull plants out of the ground, which makes it harder for native fish and plants to live.
The USFWS says that goldfish “multiply quickly” and stay around for a while, even though they grow quickly and pollute the water. They also spawn several times a season and don’t have any natural predators. Plus, they can carry bugs and diseases that other fish can’t fight off.
Goldfish owners who want to get rid of their pets should find them a new home, bring them back to the pet store, or get in touch with rescue groups or tanks in their area.
“Always do the right thing when you let your pet go into the wild. Their website says, “Most pets that are released into the wild do not survive, and many suffer before they die.” “If it does survive, your pet could become an invasive species that harms native wildlife.”
