Most of us grew up thinking about goldfish as harmless pets — the kind we kept in a bowl in our bedrooms as kids. In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with Dr. Melanie Massey from the University of Toronto, whose research reveals an astonishing truth: goldfish are one of the most destructive invasive fish species on the planet, firmly established in the Great Lakes and spreading rapidly across the continent.

Melanie takes us into the biology and behavior that make goldfish such formidable invaders. From surviving frigid winters under the ice and tolerating near-zero oxygen, to spawning repeatedly, growing quickly and re-engineering ecosystems, goldfish are far tougher than we ever imagined.

They can survive sewage treatment plants, reach the size of a football and even outcompete carp. Once you hear what Melanie has to tell us, you'll never look at goldfish the same way again.

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