Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and caring for some finned friends just isn't possible anymore.
So, what do you do with Bubbles the Goldfish when he needs to find a new home?
For starters, don't release your aquarium friends in your local river or lake.
Dumping anything out of an aquarium – fish, animals, and plants, can have devastating consequences for Texas' natural waterbodies, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. This is true for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
There's a good chance your aquarium fish, animals and plants are not native to Texas, and if dumped into the wild, they can potentially introduce diseases not native to the state and establish themselves at the expense of native aquatic life and vegetation, according to TPWD.
"Several common aquarium fish, such as armored catfish (suckermouth and sailfin catfishes), bluefin killifish, and goldfish, have prevailed in natural, local waters upon release by owners," said BRA Aquatic Scientist Cory Scanes. "These aquarium fish pose a hazard to the native fish and insect communities, instream fish and insect habitat, stream morphology, and in some cases water quality."
Scanes said that armored catfish were considered "environmental engineers" because of their ability to drastically change the habitat around them.
The armored catfish, also known as the Plecostomus and "algae eater," significantly contributes to erosion in areas of infestation and can create deep burrows under banks, leaking to bank collapses, according to the TPWD.
"What seems harmless in your tank can be a major threat to the ecosystem outside of it." – TexasInvasives.org
Goldfish have been described as one of the world's "worst invasive aquatic species," according to research conducted by Murdoch University. The fish have been documented to grow to almost four pounds in the wild and feed on plants, insects, crustaceans and other fish to survive. The fish also kick up sediment and mud when they feed, which could damage the ecosystem.
Research also found that goldfish can travel 140 miles within a freshwater system in a year.
"Introduced fish can impact, and alter, native fish communities by competing for resources or preying upon native fishes, which can reduce a fish population and lead to the possible extirpation (local extinction) of those native species," Scanes said.
If you're unable to continue caring for your aquarium, it's important to find responsible new homes for the fish and other inhabitants. Search the web for people who might be interested in purchasing your finned friends. Some pet or fish stores will buy or, at the very least, take them off your hands. Or, humanely euthanize if you have no other options. There are humane options for ending your fishes' life here. And those options do not include flushing them.
Fish can be amazing companions. If you're considering some finned friends, doing some research beforehand on their care can set them (and you!) up for success. Fish can live for many years and require specific care. Owning fish is a long-term commitment. It's important to be sure you have the time and resources to care for them before bringing them home.