A troubling "feral goldfish" problem could be solved by feeding the growing pests to other creatures of the sea, according to scientists looking into the problem in North America.
Though the usually tiny animals are a household pet, when left in the wild they can become an absolute menace and eat away at food resources for other fish. There are also no signs of stopping the surprising beasts, until an idea to try reduce their numbers was put forward.
Growing goldfish repopulation levels are so out of hand almost no predators can stop them and their rising numbers. Goldfish have been invading much of North America, for decades, including the Great Lakes.
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A breed of fish however could step in to curb the rising population of goldfish, as scientists from across the globe plan out a possible solution to massive goldfish numbers.
Hugh MacIssac, who studies aquatic invasive species, said: "None of that is ecologically or aesthetically desirable. If we can geolocate where they are, we can use selective fishing to eliminate or reduce them."
Fellow biologists are hopeful a Judas Fish could come in and sort out population problems after fishermen reported massive goldfish as big as a foot long, BridgeMichigan reported. The massive animals area becoming uncontrollable, and are closer to "crazy" than the placid bowl-based pets found at home.
Christine Boston, a biologist at Fisheries and OCeans Canada's Great Lakes Laboratory, said: "They overwintered in the same areas each year, and returned to the same spawning habitat each spring.
"Weโve seen significant drops in invasive carp populations, so we know control works. If we can get our hands on them, we can make a real dent in their population."
It comes as Anthony Ricciardi, an invasive species specialist, warns goldfish are not the harmless creatures they appear to be and real action must be taken against them.
They said: "Biologists must fight any perception that goldfish are harmless species when released into the wild."
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