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Original poster

Releasing goldfish into wild?

94 replies

KarenLN · 08/12/2017 11:29

I’ve had them for 2 years, I don’t think they’re actually goldfish but they’re definitely some kind of relative. They’re small fish- the largest ones are about 4cm long. I can’t keep them as I’m moving abroad. I’ve been calling local pet shops to see if anyone will take them, but had no luck. One shop said they’d take them and to call back today, and when I did they said they don’t take Coldwater fish. I told you they were cold water fish when I first called! Angry No friends or family can/will take them. It seems that my only choice is to release them into a public pond nearby Sad Can anyone help? I’m in London

OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 08/12/2017 11:31

No of course you can't do that.

Have you tried posting on fish forums?

ItchyKondera · 08/12/2017 11:31

We had a similar issue and needed to get rid of 2 goldfish! We just offered them for free (including a tank for £10) on a facebook selling site and someone snapped them up

samG76 · 08/12/2017 11:32

Not sure how long they'd survive but it seems to be the best of a bad set of choices. I think it might be an offence, though, so look out for policemen and RSPCA inspectors....

BubblesPip · 08/12/2017 11:32

No no no! They won’t survive long at all.

Post an ad in a pet shop? Gumtree? Local vets?

EB123 · 08/12/2017 11:32

Of course not. Ask on local fish pages on Facebook for advice.

Enb76 · 08/12/2017 11:32

You cannot release fish into the wild. Firstly, they'll probably die and secondly non-native species can cause enormous damage what with the risk of disease, parasite etc...

In fact, I'm pretty sure it's an offence.

strawberrypenguin · 08/12/2017 11:32

No you can’t. Have you got DC will any of their school friends take them?

Trinity66 · 08/12/2017 11:32

You can't do that no :/

What about garden centres, do they sell fish there? They do in some over here.

Blahblahblahzeeblah · 08/12/2017 11:33

I think it's actually illegal to release an animal into the wild which isn't native to the UK. My husband's colleague was recently prosecuted for this and lost her job due to ending up with a criminal record.

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 08/12/2017 11:35

Post on the various selling sites for some with an established tank / pond who wants them. We gave ours to my friend's Dad to put in his huge pond.

Missymoo100 · 08/12/2017 11:36

No don't release, as previous poster said they have bacteria and parasites that wild fish don't carry. How about asking someone with a pond to take them?

Wolfiefan · 08/12/2017 11:37

No you can't. Are they "gold"? They wouldn't last a day.

Rubyslippers7780 · 08/12/2017 11:38

Donate to local school / nursery?

DontDrinkDontSmoke · 08/12/2017 11:38

🚽

Blahblahblahzeeblah · 08/12/2017 11:40
Xmas Shock
ididntmeanitlikethat · 08/12/2017 11:40

Do you know anyone with a pond OP? We ‘released’ our goldfish 2 years ago into our pond (half expecting the worst) and they are still going strong. Could be another option if offering the tank and fish doesn’t get any takers Smile

LolaTheDarkdestroyer · 08/12/2017 11:41

No don't...you took them on they ate your responsibility put them on a Facebook fish group someone will take them I would if I was in London poor things.

Checklist · 08/12/2017 11:47

Ask around at all local reputable fish shops to see if they will resell them. I've certainly seen larger goldfish for sale in them. Failing that, ask anybody with a pond in their garden.

They should not be released into the wild - somebody did that in a lake in either the US or Canada, and they ended up with 4,000 goldfish in it! There are enough problems in this country what with grey squirrels, Japanese knotweed, mink, etc as imports often have no native predators to keep the population under control!

Checklist · 08/12/2017 11:49

Besides which, it is too cold now! The shock could kill them. A reputable fish shop told me they should only be put in a pond after Easter!

Clandestino · 08/12/2017 11:50

You are not releasing them, you are killing them.

Santasbigredbobblehat · 08/12/2017 11:51

I took some goldfish back to a shop because I was graduating. (The person who originally said they’d take them didn’t). Try some more pet shops. Or offer for free on FB.

kingjofferyworksintescos · 08/12/2017 11:53

If they are I. A tank a home such as an old people's home might like them

Zoesweet · 08/12/2017 11:54

Some pet fish can't actually survive in the wild. These kinds of fish are cultured for domestic purposes.

HarHer · 08/12/2017 11:56

Hi,

DH had a similar problem with fish. He gave them away, complete with tank, to a neighbour.

RavenLG · 08/12/2017 11:57

Would you do the same to a cat or dog? Of course you wouldn't! At the least sell them for a minimal sum on facebook so the poor things have some fighting chance you monster!