Why Flushing Goldfish Hurts Our Rivers
This article was written by Anh Vo.
Most people imagine a tiny pet fish when they hear goldfish. But when they are flushed down drains or when they are released into nearby ponds and rivers, these pets don't disappear. They have the potential to wreak havoc on the environment. What appears to be a harmless action can actually destroy ecosystems, threaten native wildlife, and even change the water quality of entire rivers.
Goldfish are carp and thus well adapted and able to thrive under varying conditions of water. Wild goldfish do not remain small. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, goldfish that begin life a couple of inches in length can grow up to nine pounds when released into the wild streams. When the fish start to get this large, they can start to consume more food, stir up muck from the river bottoms, and destroy the native vegetation while searching for food. This makes the water cloudy, shades vegetation so it cannot get sunlight, and releases surplus nutrients. This can create lethal algae blooms along with many other issues.
Besides, goldfish reproduce very rapidly. With very few natural predators when released into most rivers and ponds, their populations can explode. They begin driving out native fish, animals, and plants by outcompeting them for resources and space. They can also spread disease and parasites to the local fish, which have no immunity, thus doing even more damage.
While it seems silly, this is happening on a worldwide scale. In Australia, scientists have tracked wild goldfish that are as big as footballs traveling over 200 kilometers a year in native river systems. In America, huge goldfish have been scooped up from lakes in Minnesota and Pennsylvania after with wildlife officials warning people against releasing their pet fish.
The important thing to keep in mind is that flushing goldfish down drains can damage the delicate ecosystem nearby. For example, rivers depend on native vegetation, aquatic life, and fish to remain in balance. Invaders like the goldfish will upset this.
So, what should you do if you can’t keep your goldfish anymore? The point is, its always a bad idea to release them into the wild. Instead, consider giving them to a pet store, find a new owner on the internet, or call an aquarium or fish rescud. By having a responsible alternative, you contribute to protecting rivers and the wildlife that depends on them.
Eventually, flushing a goldfish won't "set it free." It sets off a domino effect that can destroy ecosystems for years. Proper care of our pets is one small step we can all take in helping keep the environment intact.
https://www.fws.gov/story/how-break-your-goldfish?utm_source
https://www.wired.com/story/huge-goldfish-invasive-species/?utm_source