THE biggest goldfish in the world has died, plunging fish-lovers into mourning.
Carrot shot to fame after being pulled from a lake at an enormous 67lbs (30kg) – making her a top target for anglers and too enormous for a normal fish bowl.
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Owners of the lake where she lived have now announced she has sadly passed away, aged 20, after famously being hooked by a Brit less than a month ago.
Bluewater Lakes, in France, said Carrot died from natural causes and was not impacted by the string of hobbyists hoisting her from the water.
But bosses have been quick to quell fans’ tears – by revealing the mega 4ft fish has two children.
The venue announced: “It is with great sadness that we have to report and announce the death of The Carrot.
“To know it’s gone has broken our soul, and we never want to see any of our stock pass, especially The Carrot.
“But for every minus, there is a plus, as she has two little babies in here.
“One is a common carp weighing around 40lbs, and the other is a little gem that’s a tad smaller but has all the beauty of its predecessor.
“Once again, it’s a sad day, and we hope all who caught The Carrot cherish that moment. It was a very special fish.”
The gigantic orange specimen was actually a hybrid species of a leather carp and a koi carp, which are traditionally orange.
Lee Parker, of Banbury in Oxford, said Carrot took off like an express train as he had to cling firmly to his rod when he landed her last month.
World’s biggest animals
CARROT may have been one of the world’s largest goldfish, but she’s not the only animal who boasts gargantuan size.
For example, the world’s longest cat is so huge that some fans question if he’s real, his owner said.
Barivel, a 3ft 11in moggy in Italy, set the world record for his incredible length.
Edgar Scandurra and Cinzia Tinnirello, Barivel’s owners, said the feline was a special cat for the family.
He was born in September 2016 – and he was two years old when he broke records in 2018, measuring 120cm.
Similarly, the world’s biggest crocodile, Cassius, measures an impressive 18ft and was recognised as the world’s largest living saltwater croc in 2011.
Missing his right leg, he is estimated to be 120 years old, however shockingly, scientists aren’t sure how old the gnarly beast is.
But Cassius briefly lost the title in 2012 to a 20ft saltwater crocodile called Lolong, who was caught in the Philippines.
He described how he was forced to dig his heels into the lake’s bank to avoid being dragged into the water.
After a near ten-minute tussle with her, he steered the goldfish into his landing net and hauled it on to the bank.
After that, he weighed it and photographed her before slipping the goldfish safely back into the water to fight another day.
A source said: “The fish made many anglers’ dreams come true as it became a target for so many fishing in the lake, with many only visiting the venue to try and catch the famous carp.”
Just two years ago, British angler Andy Hackett caught Carrot – one of the world’s biggest goldfish.
Andy, then 42, spent 25 minutes reeling it in and was delighted when it tipped the scales at just under five stones.
It was 30lbs heavier than what was considered to be the world’s biggest goldfish caught by Jason Fugate in Minnesota, US, in 2019.
And it was more than double the size of a 30lbs bright orange koi carp caught by Italian Raphael Biagini in the south of France in 2010.
Andy, a company director from Kidderminster, Worcs, caught his record-breaker at the Bluewater Lakes where she would later die.
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