Invasive species of any kind are not welcome in the Muskoseepi ponds. In the spring it was noticed that there were fish that didn’t belong in the water which were sent to the University of Alberta to find out what they were. Manager of Environmental Stewardship Michelle Gairdner says they were trying to determine if they were prussian carp but found that they were just goldfish.
“Goldfish can live in really harsh environments and the fish that are there may have been in the pond for at least 1 winter or 2. They spawn 3 times a year.”
She explains that a special gas will be administered into the water this fall which will kill the fish. The city has been working with Alberta Fish and Wildlife and if the fish were the prussian carp, it would have needed more immediate action for getting rid of them.
Gairdner explains that water levels are being watched to make sure that it doesn’t overflow into Bear Creek which would allow eggs or fish into the stream.
People have posted on social media about the fish and visitors to the park may be able to see the fish more clearly during sunny afternoons.