Here’s What Happens When You Release A Goldfish Into The Wild

Most people know that releasing pet snakes or alligators into the wilds is a bad idea. However, many do not realize that even the most harmless household pet can cause issues if it is abandoned outdoors. Tiny goldfish have become a huge problem after being set free in the Vasse River of Australia. Stephen Beatty and a team of fellow researchers have been studying the effect of goldfish on the local ecosystem, and their findings are concerning.

It turns out that goldfish have a voracious appetite. When they do not live in a tiny tank with a regulated diet, they can easily grow up to four pounds in weight. These goldfish will eat anything, including plants and fish eggs. They dig along river beds hunting for food to eat, and this causes even more problems. In the past twelve years, the Vasse River has had a lowered water quality and a decreased amount of local wildlife due to these goldfish.

Beatty’s findings are a huge warning that people should not be releasing their pets into the wild if they can not care for them any longer. A goldfish can travel almost 150 miles in a year, destroying a massive amount of riverbed. The researchers are trying to find humane ways to remove all of these invasive goldfish from the rivers of Australia. They encourage people to either return their goldfish to a pet store or euthanize them if the pets are no longer wanted. This may help to prevent habitats from being destroyed.