Aquarium owners who are moving and can't take their aquarium's contents with them should avoid dumping the contents in local waters. Most of the fish won't survive the winter, and the plants can thrive and cause serious environmental damage.
Dumping aquarium fish into public waters without a stocking permit is a Class C misdemeanor that can carry a fine of up to $500 and 30 days in jail, plus court costs.
If an aquarium owner cannot find someone who will take the fish, the DNR recommends sealing the fish in a plastic bag, putting them in a freezer, and then disposing of them in the trash. They should never be flushed down a toilet or dumped into local lakes, ponds, streams or rivers.
Alternatives for those who don't want their fish to die as a result of their move include:
- Giving the fish to another aquarium owner
- Donating the fish to a local aquarium society
- Contacting aquarium stores for possible return
The plastic-bag technique also is the best option for getting rid of unwanted aquarium plants. Unlike the fish, many aquarium plants thrive in local waters, crowding out native plants and adversely affecting fishing, boating and the water's appearance; and can cost thousands to eradicate.
If you have an empty aquarium you would like to get rid of, contact the Kosciusko Lakes and Streams program at Grace College by e-mailing boekesec@grace.edu. We will pick up your used aquarium and donate it to a local classroom to help students study local lake ecosystems.
Funding of new LARE projects suspended indefinitelyIndiana Department of Natural Resources' Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program provides technical and financial assistance for projects that protect and enhance aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife and insure the continued viability of Indiana's p
August E-newsletterClick here to view our August E-newsletter
PRESS RELEASE - KLAS Receives $25,000 Grant to Educate 2,600 Kosciusko County StudentsKosciusko Lakes and Streams (KLAS), a county-wide environmental initiative centered at Grace College, has received a $25,000 grant to launch a series of environmental field days targeting 2,600 students throughout Kosciusko County. The grant was awarde
PRESS RELEASE - KLAS Receives $150,000 Toxin Research Grant to Protect Kosciusko County LakesKosciusko Lakes and Streams (KLAS), a community water quality initiative centered at Grace College, has received a $150,000 grant to conduct a two-year study on toxin levels in Kosciusko County lakes.
Protect yourself from harmful algae blooms this summerWhen temperatures climb and the summer sun beats down, conditions are ripe for lakes to produce harmful algae blooms, some of which can be harmful to pets and humans. Harmful algal blooms (HAB) are blue-green algal blooms containing toxins or oth
July E-newsletterClick here to view our July E-newsletter
Thank you to Lakes Festival Supporters!The second annual Northern Indiana Lakes Festival, which kicked off the appreciation week on Saturday, June 26, was a great success with over 1,000 children and adult visitors, 30 booths representing non-profit/educational organizations and water-ori
June E-newsletterClick here for a copy of our June e-newsletter.
Learn about Blue-green Algae at the Lakes FestivalThe Northern Indiana Lakes Festival is taking place this Saturday, June 26 from 11am-5pm at Center Lake in Warsaw! Come visit the KLAS booth and learn about how blue-green algae is affecting our local lakes.
The Northern Indiana Lakes Festival is taking place this Saturday, June 26 from 11am-5pm at Center Lake in Warsaw! Come visit the KLAS booth and learn about how blue-green algae is affecting our local lakes.