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Goldfish release puts rare crucian carp project at risk
@Environment Agency
by Aidan Bordiuk |
Updated on11th May 2026 at 3.43pm
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Concerns have been raised at Milton Country Park after the release of goldfish into Halls Pool threatened a carefully established population of rare crucian carp.
The lake, which has been developed over a number of years as a conservation and angling coaching venue, is now at risk following the introduction of potentially 20 ornamental goldfish, believed to have been released into the water.
Halls Pool was previously a neglected and overgrown pond with limited aquatic life before being transformed into a managed crucian carp venue. Working in partnership with Milton Country Park, the lake was stocked with true crucian carp bred at the national fish farm in Calverton.
Over time, the fish have thrived in the weedy environment, with hundreds of young anglers catching crucians as their first ever fish. The population has also bred successfully, allowing several hundred fish to be transferred to a nearby lake to establish a second population.
Some of the Goldfish that were removed | Credit: Environment Agency
However, last week the project team were informed that goldfish had been released into Halls Pool. On a post to Facebook, the team explained why this poses such a risk.
"The introduction of these fish puts the entire stock at risk of disease and viral infections from the goldfish. More over, its puts the entire population of crucians at risk from hybridisation and loss of their unique DNA structure. This means unless we remove all of the goldfish we may have lost this lake for ever in terms of the true crucian carp population" they said.
"Following the discovery, efforts have already been made to remove the introduced fish. Electric fishing operations earlier this week resulted in the removal of 15 goldfish, with a further fish caught during angling coaching sessions, bringing the total to 16 removed so far," they added.
Work is ongoing in an effort to ensure no remaining fish are left in the system.
While it is believed the fish were not released with malicious intent, the incident highlights the risks associated with releasing ornamental species into natural or managed waters.
Anglers and fish keepers are being reminded that unwanted fish should be responsibly rehomed into suitable enclosed ponds or aquariums, rather than introduced into rivers or lakes, where they may pose a risk to native and stocked populations.
The tram electro-fishing the goldfish out | Credit: Environment Agency
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