State sounds alarm about invasive zebra mussels
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has joined fish and wildlife agencies nationwide to sound the alarm about aquarium products that may be infested with invasive zebra mussels.
These products, commonly known as moss balls, are a type of aquarium plant sold in several states, including Pennsylvania. It was recently discovered that a batch of these products — marketed under brand names such as Betta Buddy, Shrimp Buddies or Mini Marimo Moss Balls — was contaminated with invasive zebra mussels and distributed to pet stores across the country.
An employee at a Petco store in Seattle reported the finding March 3, setting off a rapid response to quarantine contaminated stock that had spread not only to Petco and PetSmart but to the shelves of independent stores and in-store aquarium systems.
Consumers should note that potentially infested products have been sold online as well as through retail outlets, according to the Michigan Invasive Species Program and the Department of Natural Resources. It is not clear how long these products have been on the market or what other brands may be infested.
The Fish and Boat Commission confirmed the presence of these contaminated products in at least one Pennsylvania store.
Here’s what you should know:
What are zebra mussels?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, zebra mussels are an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk native to fresh waters in Eurasia. Their name comes from the dark, zigzagged stripes on each shell.
It’s believed zebra mussels arrived in the Great Lakes in the 1980s via ballast water that was discharged by large ships from Europe. They spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes region and into the large rivers of the eastern Mississippi drainage. They have also been found in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California.
Why are they bad?
Zebra mussels are considered an invasive species in Pennsylvania and other states and are listed as an injurious species under the federal Lacey Act. They are considered extremely efficient filter feeders that can harm aquatic ecosystems.
“Zebra mussels are one of the most troublesome invasive species in the United States and can cause major ecological and economic damage such as clogging water intake pipes, damaging boats,or damaging fisheries by impacting aquatic food webs,” Sean Hartzell, of the commission, said in a news release. “Zebra mussels are small and can produce microscopic larvae, so any water containing contaminated moss balls may contain larval zebra mussels. The potential spread of this invasive species is a major concern for our aquatic resources in Pennsylvania.”
What should I do?
If you purchased moss balls recently, assume they are contaminated even if you can’t see any zebra mussels and follow the “destroy, dispose, drain” advice from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
If zebra mussels are found on any moss balls in containers or in aquariums, infested moss balls and packaging should be frozen for 24 hours, boiled for one full minute, or submerged in bleach or vinegar for 20 minutes before double-bagging, sealing and disposing in the trash, officials say.
“Because zebra mussel larvae may not be visible to the naked eye, it is important that everyone who recently purchased a moss ball follow this strict disinfection protocol,” Hartzell said. “Just because you can’t see the mussels in your tank doesn’t mean they’re not there. Don’t take any chances.”
The guidance recommends that tank water from aquariums holding infested moss balls be decontaminated by removing plants and pets, adding one-tenth cup of bleach for every gallon of water and allowing at least 10 minutes of contact time before draining.
Where should I report a finding?
Pennsylvanians who observe suspected zebra mussels or other aquatic invasive species can report them to the Fish and Boat Commission through the Report AIS portal of the agency’s webpage at pfbc.pa.gov/ forms/reportAIS.htm.