Every year it is the same song: goldfish are dumped in nature during the holiday period. Perhaps the pet has been released with good intentions, but the consequences can be disastrous in pools with vulnerable animal species such as the Kamsalamander.
“According to some, fishing would end up in Poelen because fishing eggs from other water to the legs of water birds continue to stick or even survive a journey through the gastrointestinal system of birds,” says Maarten Bruns, researcher at Ravon. “It is more likely that people have dumped fish in De Poelen. Maybe because they had had enough of their hobby, or had to get rid of their fish before the holidays. There are better ways to get rid of your fish.”
The effect of foreign fish in the pool is considerable: a small number of goldfish multiplies in a few years to thousands of goldfish, with enormous consequences for water quality and the planting of a pool. “The fish demolished the vulnerable ecosystem,” said Bruns. “And we are not even talking about diseases that can carry cultivated fish. Vulnerable animal species, such as the Kamsalamander, are sensitive to this and can no longer reproduce.”
If evil has already happened, a solution is the empty fishing of pools that contains goldfish and other fish. That happens occasionally, but it is labor -intensive, pricey and not always effective. Soon a few fish are left behind, which reproduce again. “Goldfish owners think they are doing well by releasing their goldfish,” said Bruns. “But if people realize what nature damage is, they will probably not do it anymore.”
A better solution is giving away your goldfish. “Giving away other aquarium or pond owners is the simplest option,” says Bruns. A feeding machine can offer a solution during vacations. This way the fish get food neatly every day and several holiday weeks can be bridged. And remember that a goldfish can be twenty years old. Only buy a goldfish if you want and can take care of it for a long time. “