“If you have Marbled Crayfish (aka Marmorkrebs), please don’t release them into the wild,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife.
These all-female pet crayfish reproduce without males by cloning them and the release of a single individual could start an entire invasive population, according to the organization.
“When invasive species are dumped into the wild, they can introduce disease or become serious predators, killing off local fish colonies, and damaging reeds and vegetation that keep our underwater ecosystem alive and healthy.”
If you can’t keep your aquarium fish, plants, or animals (snails, shrimp, etc.) anymore, there are responsible alternatives to get rid of them.
“Plants can be thrown away in the trash, but you’ll need to dispose of your fish and animals more thoughtfully.”
Find a new family for your fish: If your fish is healthy, try to find it a new home. You can give it away to a friend with an aquarium, or maybe even the store you bought it from. You can also donate your fish to a school, business or another aquarium hobbyist.
Sell or trade your fish: Check around on aquarium forums and blogs online, as someone may want to buy your fish to add to their aquarium, or you may even be able to trade it for something else.
Humanely Euthanize: If you can no longer care for your fish and cannot find them a new home, euthanasia might become an option. There are humane options for ending your fish’s life.