World's BIGGEST goldfish dies: Tributes flood in for ginormous orange carp nicknamed 'the Carrot' after her death aged '20'

There may be plenty more fish in the sea but none will replace the world's biggest goldfish after her death aged 20.

The lifeless body of the ginormous orange carp, lovingly nicknamed 'The Carrot' was found at her fishery in Champagne, France.

While her exact age is not known, she was believed to have been around 20 years old and succumbed to old age.

The Carrot gained worldwide recognition thanks to her unusual colouring and massive weight, coming in at a staggering 67lbs (30kg).

Such was her legend that anglers travelled from across Europe for the chance to catch the five-stone fish - before putting her back in the pond.

The Carrot has been buried next to her lake at Bluewater Lakes, which is owned by British fisherman Gary Tardi. A plaque has also been erected in her memory.

A spokesperson for Bluewater Lakes said The Carrot was a 'one off' and her death had 'broken us in soul'.

He said: 'It is with great sadness that we have to report and announce the death of The Carrot.

'We put The Carrot in about 20 years ago as something different for the customers to fish for.

'This carp made its own following and fame all by itself. She was a one off for sure and we were very blessed and privileged to have had her residing in our lake.

'To know she's gone has broken us in soul.'

They said The Carrot has left the legacy of two baby fish in the lake, with one already weighing 40lbs.

They added: 'She has two little babies in here and one is around the 40lb mark plus another little gem that's a tad smaller but has all the beauty of it's predecessor.'

Mr Tardi said: 'She died not long after spawning which is a very stressful time for carp and if you are going to lose one it is then.'

Lee Parker was one of the last to catch The Carrot in July. He posted: 'Absolutely gutting news, having only caught her a few weeks ago. Such a tragic loss. So glad her memories will live on forever, and there is two more to carry on her legacy.

Ben Soane said: 'Such a cool carp and probably the most recognisable fish worldwide.'

Justin Crowfoot said: 'I had the pleasure of holding her but unfortunately never caught her.'

Earlier this year, British angler Lee Parker was fishing at Bluewater Lakes when he caught the Carrot - and was nearly pulled into the lake by the mammoth goldfish. 

Mr Parker, of Banbury in Oxford, said it took off like an express train as he had to cling firmly to his rod.

He also described how he was forced to dig his heels into the lake's bank to avoid behind dragged into the water.

After a near ten-minute tussle with he steered the goldfish into his landing net and hauled it on to the bank.

After that, he weighed it and photographed before slipping the goldfish safely back into the water to fight another day. 

And back in 2022, Andy Hackett, 43, spent 25 minutes reeling it in the Carrot and was delighted when it tipped the scales at just under five stones.

She 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 30lb bright orange koi carp caught by Italian Raphael Biagini in the south of France in 2010.

Mr Hackett, a father-of-two from Kidderminster in Worcestershire, caught his record-breaker at Bluewater Lakes in Champagne, France.

He said: 'I always knew The Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it.

'I knew it was a big fish when it took my bait and went off side to side and up and down with it. Then it came to the surface 30 or 40 yards out and I saw that it was orange.

'It was brilliant to catch it but it was also sheer luck.'