Pet Goldfish Are A Big Problem

Did you know that dumping your unwanted goldfish into lakes, ponds, or streams is illegal? Not only is it illegal but releasing pet goldfish in lakes damages ecosystems. The common house pet is an invasive species and will overrun waterways and take over species native to the area.

Plus the goldfish that typically will grow up to 2 inches as a pet when released into a lake can become massive. We are talking over a foot long and 2-5lbs. That is a lot of goldfish. In Minesotta authorities warned residents not to put their unwanted pets in the lake because they have found large groups of goldfish. The fish are uprooting plants which are causing poor water quality in Keller Lake.

The size of these goldfish is kind of creepy.

Please don't release your pet goldfish into ponds and lakes! They grow bigger than you think and contribute to poor water quality by mucking up the bottom sediments and uprooting plants.
Groups of these large goldfish were recently found in Keller Lake. pic.twitter.com/Zmya2Ql1E2

— City of Burnsville (@BurnsvilleMN) July 9, 2021