Monster Goldfish breeding in Lake Tahoe

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Giant goldfish up to 18 inches long are breeding in Lake Tahoe.

Researchers have found an increasing number of giant goldfish inhabiting and thriving in Lake Tahoe's ecosystem, KRCA 3 reportedTuesday. The findings have worried the researchers who are questioning the ecological impact the fish could have on the lake.

Christine Ngai, of the University of Nevada in Reno, was part of the crew that discovered the fish in the lake and said that even though she'd heard of giant goldfish in the past seeing them in real life was a mesmerizing experience.

Ngai and other researchers from UNR, UC Davis, and the California State Fish and Game regularly survey fish using a specialized boat that temporarily stuns nearby fish.

As of now, the university is more concerned with the proliferation of large-mouth bass in the lake. However, researchers pointed out the growing number of giant goldfish shows how easy it is for invasive species to take hold.