Team finds football-sized goldfish in Australian lake
An Australian program focused on tracking the migratory patterns of goldfish yielded an unexpected bonus recently when researchers stumbled up a football-sized specimen.
According to a press release from the study team, the discovery has impactions for managing the goldfish population in Western Australia. The researchers are trying to learn about the movements of a released goldfish population in the region’s Vasse River, and the massive specimen revealed to the team that the population has migrated over great distances.
“Our research discovered the fish displayed a significant seasonal shift in habitats during breeding season, with one fish moving over 230 kilometre during the year,” said team member Stephen Beatty, from the Centre of Fish and Fisheries at Murdoch University in Australia.
Goldfish Populations Growing Unchecked
Thus far, the goldfish population has evaded attempts to keep it under control.
“The goldfish population in the nutrient rich Vasse River has existed for over two decades and has the fastest known individual growth rate of this species in the world,” Beatty said. “The results of this study will have important direct management implications, enabling more strategic development of effective control programs for the species such as targeting migratory pathways.”
Goldfish are indigenous to eastern Asia, and are now undoubtedly one of the world’s worst invasive aquatic species. Incidentally, more than 76 invasive freshwater fish species exposed to rivers in Mediterranean climate regions around the planet.
Image credit: Rebecca Baldwin/Alberta Environment and Parks
Described as an alien species brought to Australian freshwater bodies, goldfish can get into river systems after being tossed from aquariums into a local body of water. Once a population gets set up, their removal is often difficult. These invasive populations are having a noteworthy influence on Australian environments.
“Once established, self-sustaining populations of alien freshwater fishes often thrive and can spread into new regions, which is having a fundamental ecological impact and are major drivers of the decline of aquatic fauna,” Beatty said.
The program scientists said the invasive fish could possibly impact water quality, bring in disease, disrupt habitat and vie with native species, putting them under severe stress, which just increases the existing threats linked with habitat and lowering water quality.
—–
Image credit: Murdoch University
The post Team finds football-sized goldfish in Australian lake appeared first on Redorbit.
redOrbit.com
offers Science, Space, Technology, Health news, videos, images and reference information. For the latest science news, space news, technology news, health news visit redOrbit.com frequently. Learn something new every day.”
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1113415487/massive-goldfish-found-081816/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).