Some fish species have been used in septic systems to help in the digestion of waste.
For instance, catfish have been used in Indonesia to desludge septic tanks.
The catfish are said to eat the sludge and multiply while at it until there is no need to empty the tank.
If that is the case, then maybe we can also introduce fish in lagoon septic lagoons?
More specifically, can goldfish be put in the lagoon pond?
The first thing you need to know about releasing Goldfish into a lagoon is that they will grow significantly larger than they were in the rank.
A fully grown goldfish can be as large as a football and weigh up to four pounds.
This makes these pretty creatures a huge predator to other species.
As such, the government advises pet owners against releasing goldfish into the wild.
In fact, they are classified as an invasive species because they will quickly grow, multiply and start cannibalizing other native species.
Apart from preying on other species, goldfish are also known to harbor parasites that foul the water and also infect and affect other aquatic animals.
As if not enough, they are also known to uproot native aquatic plants.
Additionally, goldfish have a long lifespan – they can live for up to 25 years.
If they get to your lagoon, they would wreak havoc on the natural habitat for this long which is almost the same lifespan for the septic system.
Put simply, goldfish will do a lot of harm to the environment and should therefore not be allowed to leave the fish tank.
Can Gold Fish Survive In A Septic Lagoon?
Well, that would depend on a couple of variables.
For goldfish to survive, they will need oxygen and a source of nutrition.
If your septic lagoon system is anaerobic, then it will be very hard for the goldfish to survive.
However, some lagoon systems are aerobic, which means the water has enough oxygen to support fish and other life. If that is the case, then the goldfish will probably survive.
Even in aerobic conditions, the amount of oxygen present may not be sufficient to support fish.
This is because aerobic bacteria may be using up most of the oxygen and producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
But apart from lack of oxygen, the other reason why goldfish may not survive in a septic system is the presence of toxic chemicals.
Most of the products that we use at home contain harsh chemicals that are not good for aquatic life.
If the concentration of these substances is too much, the goldfish may not survive in the lagoon.
The Verdict
To sum it up, just because goldfish can survive in a septic lagoon doesn’t mean you should introduce them to it.
As I have pointed out, there is a very slim chance that they will survive anyway.
More importantly, however, it is against the law to release goldfish into the wild because they are considered an invasive species.