(WWJ) — Scientists are sounding the alarm as giant goldfish are popping up in the Great Lakes, causing harm to the freshwater ecosystems.
A report from Smithsonian Magazine says “monstrous invasive goldfish measuring more than a foot in length” have been spotted not only in the Great Lakes, but other freshwater sources across the U.S.
They’re “gobbling up native species and sometimes wreaking havoc on local ecosystems,” according to Smithsonian’s Margaret Osborne.
Scientists and researchers believe the goldfish — a common first pet for many — were released into the wild by owners who didn’t think they would do any harm.
But the five-inch fish, belonging to the same family as carp, can grow as big as 19 inches long and weigh up to nearly 10 lbs. While not all grow this big, scientists say even the small ones can cause problems and spread diseases.
The Smithsonian report says abandoned goldfish have been known to root up plants in the Great Lakes, contribute to harmful algal blooms and consume native vegetation.
Scientists believe there are millions, if not tens of millions, of goldfish in the Great Lakes.
They’re issuing pleas to pet owners to not abandon them outdoors.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a snake, a turtle, a bird or a fish, you just can’t put it into the wild,” one aquatic ecologist said, according to the Smithsonian story. “It’s often going to be harmful to that animal because they’re not adapted to that place, but also we’re going to harm our local animals and plants.”
Read Smithsonian's "Giant Goldfish Are Bad News for the Great Lakes" here.