Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Animation86 · 08/12/2017 16:15

Personally I'd say release them into the wild
they will die pretty fast in the wild too, hardly any different from the toilet method

Animation86 · 08/12/2017 16:17

OP have a look on facebook for any good sensible fishkeeping groups around you.People are always up for free fish and at least you would know they are going to someone knowledgeable than someone who hasnt a clue ykwim

Badhairday1001 · 08/12/2017 16:20

I asked a vet about tank sizes for our 2 goldfish as they had grown very large and he said if we had a pond in the garden that would thrive and that would be the best option. We put them in to my mums pond and they are still going strong years later and even bigger. It is illegal to release pets in to the wild though, that is a completely different scenario. It's dangerous to the ecosystem.

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 08/12/2017 16:33

It seems that my only choice is to release them into a public pond nearby
No it isn't and it's something you should never do as, being non-native, they can have a negative impact on the ecosystem. Have you asked the RSPCA for advice? Have you Googled fish clubs/associations in your area? Definitely don't flush them down the loo, and if you do manage to rehome please have as much empathy as you should any other pet. Poor fish get a really bad deal because too many people think "they're just fish".

Also, I realise they were given to you but have you really not been interested enough in them to try and find out what type they are? That's one of the first things I'd have done, otherwise how do you know if you're acheiving their needs?! Hmm

Original poster
KarenLN · 08/12/2017 16:41

Here is a link to a photo (I couldn’t figure out how to attach it here) ibb.co/kOp4eb
Starting to have a terrible feeling they are goldfish although they don’t look like the images on google Confused I’ve tried to find out what they are but haven’t been able to? Either way they’re definitely cold water fish and have survived 2 years so I’ve done something right

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 08/12/2017 16:42

Pretty sure they're goldfish.

Animation86 · 08/12/2017 16:57

They aren’t goldfish but I think they may be platys

Icantdancedontaskme · 08/12/2017 16:59

Look like Platys to me!

Animation86 · 08/12/2017 16:59

Which are temperate fish so yeah, they can withstand cold water setups

laudanum · 08/12/2017 17:02

If you do that, they will die.

glueandstick · 08/12/2017 17:05

They are definitely fish. HTH.

newmumwithquestions · 08/12/2017 17:05

Please don’t release them. As others have said you can introduce disease and disrupt the ecosystem that you put them into.
However they may survive going somewhere outside at this time of year - can you can start acclimatising now by keeping where they are colder (can you turn the radiator off in whatever room they are in or move them to a porch or colder room?)

Then keep trying. Someone with a pond should take them. Ask everyone you know to ask everyone they know!

Ginorchoc · 08/12/2017 17:06

Sushi? 🍣

Joking

mummyhaschangedhername · 08/12/2017 17:13

They are platys!

mummyhaschangedhername · 08/12/2017 17:16

Where are you? If you offer platys for free people will take them. I used to breed and sell them.

CercoCasa · 08/12/2017 17:18

Maybe the DM will do it's civic duty and assist :) Their stories are always very fishy Grin

Original poster
KarenLN · 08/12/2017 17:19

Thank you so much for the help everyone, hopefully it will be easier finding someone to take them now I know what they are Blush I will post on Facebook tonight and try calling all the shops again tomorrow!

OP posts:
Freezingwinter · 08/12/2017 17:19

I am Shock that people are suggesting killing them etc. They are living beings!!! Offer them for free everywhere you can, do you have relatives?? Friends who could take them? Whereabouts are you, I can't bear the thought of them dying a painful slow death just because they are 'fish'!

Greyhorses · 08/12/2017 17:20

Those are not goldfish! They are probably plates and are quite peaceful community type fish. Could pretty much go in any tropical setup if you know of someone with one.

Greyhorses · 08/12/2017 17:20

PlatysGrin damn autocorrect

Original poster
KarenLN · 08/12/2017 17:23

Freezingwinter I agree I could never do that, I’d sooner kill myself than an innocent animal! Sadly no one I know will take them but I’m going to advertise them everywhere for free and hope for the best. I’m in London (Stockwell)

OP posts:
CercoCasa · 08/12/2017 17:26

This person is near you and rehomes tropical fish

[email protected]
Rehome tropical fish .Derren Mace based in Catford SE London Derren Mace

www.fishorphans.com/contacts.htm

Also a UK Piranha club.......yikes.

ElephantsandTigers · 08/12/2017 17:34

I hope you find someone to take them, OP.

Animation86 · 08/12/2017 17:34

-by the way, forget the pond idea. It’s not for them :)

Lovemusic33 · 08/12/2017 17:34

They are not gold fish, if they were then releasing them into the wild would be fine (goldfish are pond fish and do well outside) but these are platty’s and would no survive the winter or would just become food for other fish.

If your on Facebook join one of the local pet/aquarium pages and offer them for free, someone will take them.