Giant Goldfish Invade Lake Tahoe

Non-native fish appears to have been the work of aquarium dumpers

For the first time, researchers out of the University of Nevada, Reno have documented a Lake Tahoe fishing legend.

A new survey of the lake found giant goldfish. The fish are the same species you could find in a pet store aquarium.

The University of Nevada team was working with other researchers from UC Davis on a regularly scheduled survey of fish when they came across the creatures. The team uses a specialized boat with electrical probes that temporarily stun the fish for an official count. 

They told KCRA they were surprised when bright orange fish started floating to the top of the water.

Fishing guides have been talking about large orange fish in the lake for a while now, but the university researchers were the first to document them. 

This is not your average size pet store goldfish. These are ten times that size. 

The theory is that people with home aquariums are dumping the fish into the lake. Once outside the confines of an aquarium and into Lake Tahoe, the fish grow larger and larger.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

1 found dead, 1 in critical condition after Pacoima garage fire

Watch for a SpaceX rocket set for Thursday evening launch from the California coast

Gold fish are not native to Lake Tahoe and there are fears they could upset the ecosystem.

Biologists told KCRA the goldfish could eat smaller fish. They also create new competition for native trout.

Contact Us