leave a loose goldfish in wild water it is not a simple leap to freedom; it has serious consequences, and these overgrown specimens of the East Asian native fish are a case in point.
They were once pets, but were released into (man-made) stormwater ponds in Canada, and now they are a giant problem. The species is capable of continuing to grow throughout its life, especially if conditions favor it.
It is a myth that goldfish only grow to the size of their fish tank. It is that such a small space causes stress in the animal, and stops its growth, because this creature is capable of releasing hormones to regulate its size. But in open spaces and with enough food, as in Canadian waters, it has no reason to control itself.
Canadian Fisheries and Oceans scientists have been tracking the movements of the invasive goldfish for several months, using a device that emits sounds once it attaches to the fish’s belly.
In October 2021, University of Toronto Scarborough biology professor Nick Mandrak discovered More than 20,000 goldfish living in a man-made pond outside of Ontarioan extreme environment, with shallow waters, very low oxygen levels and temperatures above 30 °C in summer.
Well, goldfish survive there, and they reproduce very quickly.
This worries the researchers. As oxygen levels in the water drop due to climate change, these fish will have an advantage over other native species, and at some point they could become a monoculture. “Are we creating super invaders?” asks Mandrak.
- Unlike other fish, dorado can survive in water contaminated with toxic blue-green algaeand is even thought to help it multiply.
- Besides, goldfish are voracious. A large school of them can quickly destroy aquatic habitats, wiping out plants.
- They have also proliferated in the port of Hamilton (Lake Ontario)and invaded spawning sites of native species such as European pike, clouding the waters with their waste.
- Also, as they eat, they stir up sediment, reducing the levels of sunlight that aquatic plants need to grow.
The greatest fear of scientists is that in the future reach the Great Lakes —Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario, on the border between Canada and the United States—if their numbers are not small. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
