Monster goldfish found in Lake Tahoe could destroy lake's ecosystem
Monster goldfish found: Scientists are worried that an increasing number of monster goldfish found in Lake Tahoe are stimulating algae growth.
Gigantic goldfish, like this one held by University of Nevada, Reno, researcher Christine Ngai, have been found in the waters of Lake Tahoe.
Heather Segale
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
Researchers are concerned about a fish that's turning into a new threat to the ecology of Lake Tahoe.
Biologists with the University of Nevada, Reno say they're finding a growing number of giant goldfish in the lake.
While officials have been working for years in trying to keep the lake's water crystal clear, researcher Sudeep Chandra told KCRA-TV (http://bit.ly/Yo0lIn ) the discovery of the goldfish is particularly worrisome because goldfish eat a lot and excrete "lots of nutrients."
Those nutrients stimulate algae growth.
The goldfish, some of which have grown to 18 inches, could also eat smaller fish, creating new competition for native trout.
Chandra says with no prior studies on goldfish for guidance, researchers are catching the giant goldfish and bringing them back to their lab to study.
It's not clear how the goldfish got into Lake Tahoe, but it's believed to be from people dumping aquariums into the lake.
Information from: KCRA-TV