Giant goldfish spotted in Calgary storm pond
Posted Jun 28, 2016 11:12 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Don’t let Goldie loose.
More giant goldfish are being found in Alberta waterways because of some misguided pet owners.
One was spotted in Harvest Hills over the weekend in a storm pond that leads to Nose Creek.
Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist Kate Wilson with Alberta Environment and Parks said this is a problem they continue to see all around the province.
“Goldfish are very hearty, they’re surviving as far north as Fort McMurray in a non-aerated storm water pond over winter, which means they could survive anywhere in the province,” she said.
Wilson said pet owners think they’re getting rid of their fish humanely, or they think they’ll be a pretty edition to the neighbourhood.
It’s actually illegal and harmful to local habitats.
“Goldfish have a lot of parasites and disease that come from people’s aquariums, tanks and shipping,” she said. “Also (they) will eat other fish eggs, actually compete for food sources with some of the other forage fish.”
Wilson added you shouldn’t even flush a dead fish because whatever it died from could be carried with it.
It’s hard to say how long humans have been letting these fish free, but she says ever since their invasive species hotline (1 855 336 BOAT) was set up, they’re more aware of the scope of the problem.
