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Ornamental goldfish that escaped or were released into a lake just south of the twin towns probably infected and killed a large number of carp, according to state conservation officials.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said Friday that staff from the MNR's Lake City Fisheries Office went to Byllesby Lake near Cannon Falls after dead fish were dumped on the lake. the shore. They collected samples and took them to the agency's pathology laboratory and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Research Center at the University of Minnesota.
The laboratories confirmed that the fish had died of infection with the herpes koi virus. , an ornamental member of the carp family bred in East Asia for centuries and kept by some people in aquariums and outdoor ponds.
The virus kills carp by damaging its gills and skin. The virus has been detected in other lakes in southern Minnesota, including Jonathan, Washington, Elysian, Tetonka, Gorman, Dora, Saber and Cottonwood, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The agency has already caught a koi near Albert Lea which measured 9 to 11 inches long
The virus "has probably found its way into Minnesota waters by releasing or l '. ornamental koi escape ". "Unleashing ornamental fish in the wild is illegal and can disrupt the balance of natural systems."
Ideally, unwanted live fish and aquarium plants should be donated. Minnesota Sea Grant and the Minnesota Aquarium Society hosted fish and plant surrenders. Information is available on seagrant.umn.edu/news.[19659007MeanwhileUresearchersaretryingtodetermineiftheviruscouldbeanoptiontocontrolthecarppopulationwhichcancauseseriousdamagetoaquaticecosystems
Fish killings at this time of year are due to natural processes, not to outside forces, said the MNR.
Fish killed may be reported to the state at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798. Owners with dead fish on their shoreline can bury them or leave them to other wildlife for consumption. The DNR has stated that it does not collect and do not remove dead fish.
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