Young Boy Caught a Massive "Foot-Long" Goldfish, Proving Invasive Goldfish Epidemic

According to an email from his father Jason to the Press, Cash Geiger grabbed a foot-long goldfish while fishing at the Fireman's Park pond in August.

The state of Wisconsin considers goldfish, which are categorized as Carassius auratus and belong to the same family as koi fish, to be a limited invasive species, according to the state Department of Natural Resources website.

Carassius auratus is the scientific name for goldfish, which is a kind of carp. Most carp grow in response to their surroundings (or the amount of space they have) as well as the resources available to them. Domesticated goldfish, who eat fish flakes and reside in a small bowl, do not grow to be particularly massive. They may, however, extend to considerably larger lengths when exposed to open seas and more numerous food sources.

Goldfish are also carnivorous, which might explain their rapid growth. That's right: without those store-bought fish flakes, your pet goldfish would be pretty content to be scavenging native species' eggs at the bottom of a lake.

They're an invasive species, and they throw off the natural balance because they weren't designed to live in these freshwaters in the first place. Another reason is that they destroy local species by eating their fish eggs at the bottom of the lakes, causing damage to the flora that lives there. They can also infect marine life with alien illnesses.

What to do with an Unwanted Goldfish?

Please don't let your pet goldfish loose in ponds or lakes! They get bigger than you expect and mess up the bottom sediments and uproot plants, contributing to poor water quality.

Donate to an aquarium organization, a school, or an aquatic company in your area. Consult a veterinarian for advice on how to dispose of fish humanely.

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