Pet goldfish causing huge grief for the City of Red Deer

Duane Rolheiser

Published

6 years ago

11 minute read

Photo from “Why you should never put a goldfish in a park pond”

From The City of Red Deer

City to remove goldfish from Anders pond

An invasive goldfish population has been identified in the Anders storm pond, and will be removed from the pond in the coming weeks.

Invasive non-native fish species pose a threat to the natural aquatic ecosystems and native species in the Red Deer River. The goldfish population will be removed in order to protect our native aquatic species and ecosystems, and to ensure the goldfish do not enter the storm system or the Red Deer River.

The Fisheries Act specifies that actions must be taken to remove non-native fish species, including goldfish, from natural and artificial waterbodies due to potential risks to native species and their habitat. These risks include:

 Competition with native species for habitat and resources
 Increased turbidity caused by goldfish stirs up sediments and nutrients, leading toincreased algae and plants
 Introduced diseases/parasites
 Reduction in biodiversity“Removing invasive species will help to ensure that we maintain the aquatic health of our storm water system and local waterways” said Tim Ainscough, Environmental Services Manager. “The Anders pond connects directly to our storm water system and to the Red Deer River. Anything that is dumped in local storm ponds or storm drains will flow directly into our storm water system and into the Red Deer River.”The goldfish removal process is expected to take approximately six weeks and is scheduled for September 9 to October 21, 2019.
In keeping with the Fisheries (Alberta) Act, and based on best practices from other communities, The City will use a treatment called Rotenone to remove the goldfish. This task includes:

 Closing and fencing off the Anders pond and surrounding area for the protection of residents, pets, and wildlife.

 Applying/spraying the Rotenone solution to the pond and surrounding area.
 Collecting and removing the fish carcasses from the pond.
 Ensuring all safe handling procedures are adhered to, according to federal and

provincial regulations.

The pond will be fenced off for the duration of the process, but local trails will remain open. For your safety, please follow posted rules and ensure children and pets are kept outside of all fenced areas for the duration of the project.

Goldfish should never be dumped into local water bodies, into storm drains or flushed down a toilet. Consider re-homing your fish if you cannot take care of them, and if your pet first passes away, bury the carcass instead of flushing or dumping it, to avoid the spread of harmful bacteria.

Backrounder

Anders storm pond maintenance – goldfish removal

Environmental Services is undertaking a project to remove non-native fish species (goldfish) from Anders stormwater management pond.

Why is The City undertaking this project?The Anders pond was found to have a high population of goldfish, which are a non-native fish species that pose risks to native species and their habitat. The pond is a stormwater pond and connects to the City’s stormwater management system and the Red Deer River.The Fisheries Act specifies that actions must be taken to remove non-native fish species, including goldfish, from natural and artificial waterbodies, including stormwater management facilities, due to potential risks to native species and their habitat. These risks include:
-  Competition with native species for habitat and resources
-  Increased turbidity caused by goldfish stirs up sediments and nutrients, leading toincreased algae and plants
-  Introduced diseases/parasites
-  Reduction in biodiversity
Why are there goldfish in Anders pond? How did they get there?We cannot say for certain how Anders pond became populated with goldfish, but it is most likely due to residents placing unwanted goldfish or aquarium species in the pond or elsewhere in the stormwater system.
How will the goldfish be removed?Based on best practices from other communities and approval through Alberta Environment & Parks, The City will use a treatment called Rotenone to remove the goldfish. An experienced contractor has been hired to complete this work, which includes:
-  Applying/spraying the Rotenone solution to the pond.
-  Collecting and removing the fish carcasses from the pond.
-  Ensuring all safe handling procedures are adhered to, according to federal and provincialregulations.
What is Rotenone?Rotenone is an organic compound derived from plants which has been used successfully in other municipalities to remove non-native fish species like goldfish from stormwater ponds and other localized bodies of water.
Is Rotenone harmful to people or pets?No, Rotenone is a target-specific, fish toxicant. The solution is highly toxic to fish (all species) and low to moderately toxic to birds, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates. However, the concentration of Rotenone required to treat the invasive species in Anders Pond is lower than that which would cause harm to terrestrial species (land animals). In addition, we will be taking several precautions to ensure the safety of people, pets, and other wildlife, including:
-  Installing fencing around the pond for the duration of treatment.
-  Completing the treatment during the fall when amphibians have passed the larval stage.
-  Completing the treatment outside the breeding/nesting bird activity period.

Page 1

Q&A BACKGROUNDER

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If the chemical isn’t harmful to people, why are staff members wearing safety gear?Staff members wear safety equipment as a precaution while handling the concentrated formula. During application, there is a chance some of the product could become airborne, which poses a larger risk of exposure to staff handling the concentrated solution. Fences will be in place around the pond to ensure the public remain at a safe distance. Once applied to the water, the Rotenone is diluted and poses a low risk to people.
Does Rotenone affect all aquatic animals the same?No, fish are more susceptible. All animals have natural enzymes in the digestive tract that neutralize Rotenone. However, fish and some forms of amphibians and aquatic invertebrates are more susceptible because they are gill-breathing animals, and thus, the digestive enzymes cannot neutralize Rotenone. Although some organisms like aquatic insects are susceptible to Rotenone, studies have shown that these organisms can quickly repopulate an area after treatment.
What if animals eat dead goldfish or the drink treated water?Birds and other animals have natural enzymes in their digestive tract that neutralize Rotenone and so they would not be at risk if they ate a dead goldfish or drank treated water. Based on the concentration of Rotenone used, animals would need to eat or drink extreme amounts before ingesting lethal amounts of the chemical. For example, a bird weighing one-quarter pound would have to consume 100 quarts (95 litres) of treated water or more than 40 pounds of fish and invertebrates within a 24 hour period to receive a lethal dose. This same bird would normally consume 0.2 ounces (6 millilitres) of water and 0.32 ounces (9 grams) of food daily.
Will the Rotenone cause lasting effects in the pond after treatment?No. Sunlight causes Rotenone to naturally photodegrade, so the pond will return to normal in a short period of time. It takes approximately two weeks for the Rotenone to degrade to non-toxic levels. Should the need arise, staff could deactivate the Rotenone using potassium permanganate.

10. How long will this work take?

Two applications of Rotenone are required, and each application will take approximately one day. The two applications will be spaced about three weeks apart to ensure no goldfish in the egg stage at the time of the first treatment are missed (eggs are not susceptible to Rotenone). For several days after each treatment fish carcasses will be collected by contractor and City staff.

11. Will Anders pond be closed?

We will be fencing off the Anders pond for approximately six weeks to ensure time for two applications and to allow the Rotenone to degrade after treatment. The park and walking path will still be accessible, but the water will not be.

12. I live in the area. What should I expect?

Residents who live in the area or frequent the pond can expect the following:

 The Anders pond will be closed and fenced off for approximately six weeks during treatment.
 The park and walking path will remain open.
 Residents and visitors may notice a minor odour for up to one to two days after treatment.
 Residents and visitors may notice a temporary water discoloration in the pond.
 There will be an active working site for several weeks, including staff in safety gear (suits,masks, gloves, etc.)

Related Topics:Anders Anders Pond feature Goldfish

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After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Published on April 10, 2025

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Annette Scheper, Community & Program Facilitator in the Safe & Healthy Communities Department is The City’s 2025 recipient of the Bob Stollings Memorial Award.

The Bob Stollings Memorial Award is given out each year to a City employee who displays outstanding performance in alignment with The City’s RISE cornerstone values – respect, integrity, service and excellence. Nominations for the award are submitted by fellow coworkers detailing the employee’s achievements professionally and interpersonally, along with letters of support. The award is considered a great honour among City staff.

With an impressive 22-year career, Annette has played a pivotal role in shaping Red Deer’s cultural and special events landscape. Her leadership and innovation have brought thousands of successful events to life, creating lasting traditions that enrich the lives of residents. Her commitment to excellence and resourcefulness has ensured that community initiatives are inclusive, accessible, and impactful.

One of Annette’s most notable achievements is the development of the Community Loan Program, which provides essential resources for local groups, contributing an annual value of $86,778.95 back into the community. In addition, she has successfully led and executed a variety of large-scale events, demonstrating remarkable problem-solving skills and a dedication to sustainability. From creating elaborate event designs with repurposed materials to managing complex logistics, she continuously sets the standard for excellence.

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The Bob Stollings Memorial Award was first established in 1985 and is presented every year to honour Robert (Bob) E. Stollings, a loyal and dedicated City employee from 1960-1984.

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Red Deer will choose a new Mayor as Ken Johnston decides to step away

Published on January 23, 2025

Duane Rolheiser

It’s a telling detail about the person who leads Red Deer City Council. Always putting the city’s needs ahead of his own, Mayor Ken Johnston has announced his intentions within days of the opening of Nominations for October’s municipal elections,

After 12 years on council, Mayor Ken Johnston has decided against running for a second term as Mayor this fall. Johnson shared his decision in front of colleagues and supporters in a touching announcement on Wednesday.

At 71 years old, Johnston remains vibrant, passionate and healthy. He says that’s exactly why he and his wife Carolyn have decided now is the right time to start their next stage of life together.

Mayor Johnston listed a number of highlights and achievements he can look back on, including his help advocating for the redevelopment of Red Deer Regional Hospital, the growth of Red Deer Polytechnic, and positive moves in Economic Development.

All these lead of a feeling of ease about the decision to step away, though affordable housing and a permanent shelter for the homeless remain pressing concerns.

With about 8 months remaining in his term, Mayor Johnston is planning to push hard to move the needle on these housing issues.

“We’re looking forward to some more work and we’ll be going to the community shortly about it. So I still have optimism that maybe before the term is out we can have an announcement.”

This is the second major political announcement in Central Alberta in the last number of days. Earlier this week Red Deer Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen announced he won’t be running in the next federal election.