Feral goldfish (carassius auratus) in Western Australia: a case study from the Vasse River

Morgan, D.L. and Beatty, S.J. (2007) Feral goldfish (carassius auratus) in Western Australia: a case study from the Vasse River. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 90 (3). pp. 151-156.

Abstract

Minimal information is available with regard to impacts of wild populations of Goldfish; despite being one of the most widely introduced freshwater fishes of the world, and arguably the most popular ornamental fish species. During a control programme for a population of feral Goldfish in the Vasse River, Western Australia, aspects of population demographics and diet were examined. A relatively high growth rate was found with fish, on average, attaining ~ 180 mm TL at the end of their first year of life, a period that coincided with first maturity. Goldfish were relatively long- lived with the oldest fish recorded being in its 11th year of life. The diet was dominated by detritus that was largely comprised of blue-green algae. The potential of this species to exacerbate algal blooms within nutrient enriched environments is discussed.

Publication Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation:	Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research
Publisher:	Royal Society of Western Australia
Copyright:	2007 Royal Society of Western Australia
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/5762

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