Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper issued a warning to fish owners after they discovered a 14-inch goldfish in the Niagara River. The nonprofit organization found the goldfish downstream of the wastewater treatment plant.
While the giant goldfish is impressive, the fact that it was found in the Niagara River is troubling because the group says not only can goldfish survive all year in the watershed, but they destroy the habitat of native fish.
Experts estimate there are millions of goldfish in the Great Lakes.
In 2015, 113,800 pounds of goldfish were caught in Lake Erie in Michigan and Ohio. Although many argue whether they are invasive, one thing is for sure they are a nuisance.
To prevent more goldfish from infiltrating the Great Lakes and other ecosystems, fish owners can return their fish to the store if they can no longer care for it, according to Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. You can also give your fish to a new owner, anything but flush it down the toilet.
I didn’t know that goldfish could destroy an ecosystem.
If you can’t take care of your goldfish, please do not flush it down the toilet or release it. Share this so others will know this seemingly harmless act could have on certain ecosystems.