“Monster Goldfish,” some measuring more than a foot and a half long and weighing over 4 lbs, have been discovered in Lake Tahoe. And if you think these look exactly like the goldfish you may have at one time or another brought home from the pet store, you’re right – they’re the same species.
“Please do not dump your goldfish into Lake Tahoe!” a USDA Forest Service page warns, adding that “goldfish are among the most destructive non-indigenous species in North America.”
Apparently, not only do these monster versions prey upon native species, but they also strip away oxygen-producing vegetation that leads to more algae blooms and less habitat for juvenile native fish
Damn, goldfish. And just think – they get bigger. Check out this one caught in France:
A monster goldfish caught in France.
According to LiveScience, 15 of the monster goldfish were found in a corner of the lake with some pregnant. While fisherman have sometimes been known to use goldfish as bait, researchers place most of the blame on aquarium dumping, a practice that’s all too common.
“Globally, the aquarium trade has contributed a third of the world’s worst aquatic and invasive species,” Sue Williams, who published a report on the issue, told OurAmazingPlanet in January.
Check out a video of one these monsters below.
About Michael dEstries
Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.View all posts by Michael dEstries →
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