For many it’s a first pet, a gift from family, something you won as a prize at a carnival, but for Canadian residents the familiar orange goldfish everyone knows and loves is becoming a serious problem. Some flush them in a hurry because they no longer want to take care of them, others commit them to a porcelain vortex because they believe their beloved fish has passed, and the Canadian Government is issuing a warning now to citizens of Canada to stop flushing their fish.
Just a few goldfish with the potential to disrupt an entire ecosystem
Goldfish are entering the ecosystem the way that a lot of invasive species end up in an environment they don’t belong, Humans are putting them there. Human interference is one of the leading causes of the beginning of over population of invading alien species. In this case many of the fish are going down drains, and ending up in Canada’s lakes and rivers. Experts fear that the population boom they have seen so far from the fish is an indicator of their ability to become a serious threat, “The Prussian carp is a species of wild goldfish that has been illegally released into various waterbodies in Alberta. This invasive fish species has established breeding populations across the province, and presents a serious threat to local aquatic ecosystems and native fish habitats.” Listed on the Alberta environmental website is list of measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of the fish, and contact information in case they are spotted.
What types of goldfish are ending up in waterways?
Authorities warn against the flushing of any type of fish, but specifically mention Prussian Carp, Koi, and other types of goldfish not native to Canadian waters, “koi and goldfish released from ponds and aquariums can survive Alberta’s climate and grow to be very large. They have no natural predators in Alberta and will out-compete native species for resources.”
Goldfish are a specific type of carp that was bred to be the bright orange color that it is 1000s of years ago in China to be used as display for their bright colors. Although they are related to carp species that are non-invasive, these goldfish being released threatens the stabilization of the many Canadian rivers and lakes. If the authorities aren’t able to stop the flourishing invasion of the friendly orange goldfish, they could be looking at a depletion of resources vast enough to cause harm to the native animal and plant life.
