A larger-than-usual discovery in Pennsylvania has prompted officials to warn what happens when “cute” turns to “brute” — reminding the public that leaving a pet goldfish in the wild can result in a “invasive problem that can last decades.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced on Facebook that experts discovered — and recovered — what they are calling a “megalodon” goldfish during a recent electrofishing survey in Presque Isle State Park waterway.
Now, the agency is using the discovery to remind the public of why the aquatic creature “is not supposed to be here.”
“Someone let it go, thinking they were being kind. Instead, they created an invasive problem that could last for decades,” the USFWS stated in a caption.
“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,” according to the government. “If you can not keep your fish, re-home them. “Just do not let it go.”
After posting a photo of USFWS employee Corey Ketchum holding the fish, which appears to be much larger than a typical at-home goldfish, the agency added the hashtag “#InvasiveSpeciesWeek.” Another image in the comments section, shared by the USFWS, depicted another agency official holding the fish in two hands.
“From cute to brute,” the agency captioned the photo.
Elsewhere in the post’s comments, the USFWS shared some insight into “how to break up with your goldfish,” before addressing a commenter’s concern about goldfish being used for bait.
“Using goldfish as bait is legal in 16 states.” The USFWS clarified that each state creates its own fishing regulations, so it is up to each state to determine what bait fish are allowed. “We always encourage anglers not to dump their bait after they have finished fishing. Bait dumping is one of the many ways invasive aquatic species and pathogens enter waterways.
According to National Geographic, goldfish have an average lifespan of 41 years in the wild and can weigh up to 5 pounds. As previously reported in late 2023, goldfish have become an issue in the Great Lakes, with an expert stating that “millions” were swimming around.
The USFWS website states that wild goldfish can “balloon into giant, football-sized invaders that compete with native species for food and habitat.” Because they are bottom feeders, the species can muddy the water, stir up sediment, and uproot plants, making it more difficult for native fish and plants to survive in the environment.
Aside from their rapid growth and disruption of water quality, goldfish spawn several times per season and have no natural predators, so they “multiply quickly” and stay around for a while, according to the USFWS. They can also transmit parasites and diseases to which other fish are not immune.
Goldfish owners who wish to part with their pets are encouraged to re-home them, return them to a pet store, or contact local aquariums or rescue groups.
“Releasing a pet into the wild is never the right thing. “Most pets released into the wild do not survive, and many suffer before dying,” the USFWS stated on its website. “If it does survive, your pet could become an invasive species that harms native wildlife.”
