Goldfish newted
Swimming releases alcohol in body
GOLDFISH stay alive in icy water in the wild by getting drunk, research reveals.
The popular pets produce lactic acid by swimming hard when lakes freeze over, which distills to ethanol – pure alcohol.
It allows them to survive long, harsh winters in oxygen-free waters but puts them over the drink-drive limit.
Biologist Dr Michael Berenbrink, of the University of Liverpool, said: “They are able to withstand large amounts of alcohol. It is amazing.” Lactic acid is a by-product when muscles use carbohydrates to create energy but only goldfish and crucian carp, which are related, are known to convert it to alcohol. Goldfish chilled in jars in the study suffered no ill effects and could still reproduce. Scientists also tested crucian carp tissue. Lead author Dr Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes, of the University of Oslo, said: “The ethanol allows the carp to be the only fish surviving these harsh environments. “It is no wonder its cousin, the goldfish, is arguably one of the most resilient pets.”