Hearing that goldfish have been found in Hamilton Harbour doesn’t sound like much of a big deal; that is, until you find out that those goldfish are an absurdly larger version of what you’d typically find in a household fish tank.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada released some jaw-dropping photos of dramatically oversized goldfish on social media that were found in Hamilton Harbour, pointing to the fact that goldfish released into the wild can grow to significantly larger sizes in order to adapt to their new environment.
Please DO NOT dump your goldfish into ponds, creeks or streams or flush them down the toilet. I know it might feel humane, but they're an invasive species- if you can't find another fishbowl for them, wrap them in a paper towel and keep them comfortable. https://t.co/3oeXEJme6K
— Donna Bacher, Broker (@loveurhome) December 4, 2021
The organization has been tracking goldfish through acoustic tags – sound devices used for remote tracking in aquatic environments – and discovered that goldfish have been breeding in the harbour.
Goldfish in our natural waterways can be a big problem. Considered an invasive species, goldfish are known to wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems by destroying natural habitats, tearing up plants and food sources for native species, and clouding the water enough to block sunlight.
“Most goldfish likely end up in our waters after being released into local entry points like stormwater ponds, which is why it’s so important to never release any pets into the wild,” reads a message from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Read more on the Government of Canada website.
Lead image courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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