Unwanted pets: Giant goldfish turn up in Minnesota waterways

@ap.news In this image provided by the City of Burnsville, Minn., a large goldfish caught in Keller Lake during a water quality survey is held, Friday, July 2, 2021. Officials in Minnesota say they’re finding more giant goldfish in waterways, prompting a plea to citizens to stop illegally dumping their unwanted fish into ponds and lakes. The goldfish, which can grow to the size of a football, compete with native species for food and increase algae in lakes. (City of Burnsville via AP)

BURNSVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Officials in Minnesota say they’re finding more giant goldfish in waterways, prompting a plea to citizens to stop illegally dumping their unwanted fish into ponds and lakes.

The goldfish, which can grow to the size of a football, compete with native species for food and increase algae in lakes. Burnsville officials found 10 fish in Keller Lake earlier this month while doing a water quality survey. Eighteen more fish were found Monday. Some were 18 inches long and weighed about 4 pounds.

Burnsville issued a plea on Twitter, saying: “Please don’t release your pet goldfish into ponds and lakes!” The big goldfish are being captured and killed.