🧡 Goldfish: From Pet to Problem
Goldfish may seem harmless, but when released into the wild, they become highly invasive. In Saskatchewan, they’ve been found in:
- Stormwater ponds and ditches in cities like Saskatoon
- Wascana Lake, Wascana Creek, and Qu’Appelle Lake
Why They’re a Threat:
- 🧬 Prolific breeders: Goldfish can reproduce rapidly and grow to the size of a football in the wild
- 🌱 Ecosystem disruptors: They stir up sediment, reduce water clarity, and destroy aquatic vegetation
- 🦠 Disease carriers: They can spread pathogens to native fish populations
What’s Being Done:
- The City of Saskatoon has removed over 1,000 pounds of goldfish from storm ponds and is using Rotenone, a natural fish toxicant, to control outbreaks
- The “Don’t Let It Loose” campaign by the Government of Saskatchewan urges residents never to release aquarium pets into the wild.
🐟 Prussian Carp: A Silent Invasion
Prussian carp, a close relative of the goldfish, are even more dangerous due to their unique reproductive strategy and resilience.
Where They’ve Spread:
- Lake Diefenbaker
- South Saskatchewan River
- Coteau Creek and Swift Current Creek
- Anerley Lakes and tributaries
Why They’re a Major Threat:
- ♻️ Cloning reproduction: Females can reproduce using sperm from other species without incorporating their DNA—essentially cloning themselves
- 🧪 Hardy survivors: They thrive in low-oxygen, poor-quality water where native fish can’t survive
- 📉 Biodiversity loss: Their presence is linked to declines in native fish and invertebrate populations
🚫 What You Can Do
- Never release pets or bait into any waterbody
- Report sightings of invasive species to the 24-hour TIPP line: 1-800-667-7561
Content obtained from newsletter email by PARCS (https://skparcs.ca/)
