Saffron Ponds Harmony Project: What We Do and Our Goals

In the heart of our community lies a treasure that has often been overlooked: our beautiful ponds. These aquatic spaces are vital for local biodiversity and provide homes to various species. However, they face a pressing challenge from non-native species, particularly goldfish. At the Saffron Ponds Harmony Project, we work to address this issue through education in the community, and removal of goldfish from ponds.

Goldfish, while charming in home aquariums, can severely damage local ponds. Studies show that goldfish can grow to remarkable sizes, sometimes reaching over a foot long, and consume vast amounts of food. They disturb sediment, uproot native plants, and compete for resources with local fish. These resources can include food and space, as well as hiding spots.

The issue of goldfish in ponds is caused by one thing: humans. Goldfish end up in local ponds and lakes when humans dump them in these areas. Dumping is illegal, and can result in heavy fines. Recently, Spokane Parks has added signs explaining this law by ponds, but the damage has already been done.

Goldfish have been bred to be incredibly hardy fish, and survive incredibly well in ponds. They reproduce and grow quickly, often reaching a size between 4-8 inches. The longer a population stays in an area, the more their appearance reverts further back to that of their ancestors, the carp. This is why not all of the goldfish in ponds are orange. Often times, they have a dark coloration down their back and on the tips of their fins.

At the Saffron Ponds Harmony Project, we believe that every small action can create significant change. Our primary goal is to educate the community on this issue. Once goldfish take root in an environment, they are incredibly hard to remove. However, as a community, we can work to protect local waterways and ponds from further contamination.

Not only do we want to educate the community on the issue of dumping goldfish, but also on proper goldfish care. Contrary to popular belief, goldfish are not a beginner fish. They are incredibly high maintenance, require large tanks, and grow very large under the right circumstances. Goldfish can live for up to 20 years and grow up to 18+ inches (over a foot long!).