Duluth stores find moss balls infested with zebra mussels - Duluth News Tribune

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Duluth stores find moss balls infested with zebra mussels - Duluth News Tribune Posted: 22 Mar 2021 03:01 PM PDT Doug Jensen, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the University of Minnesota Sea Grant program, said officials are trying to get the word out to retailers and consumers who may have recently purchased the moss balls. The goal is to find and kill any zebra mussels that may be hitchhiking on the moss balls before the invasive mussel can get into local lakes or rivers. Federal authorities earlier this month put out the warning that decorative Marimo moss balls — used as fish habitat in aquariums as well as in decorative terrariums and even as table centerpieces — had been found infested with zebra mussels in stores nationwide. An imported moss ball, generally used in aquariums as fish habitat, that held multiple invasive zebra mussels. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) The moss balls have been sold under several names, including Shrimp Buddies, Betta Buddy, Marimo Balls, Mini Marimo Balls and in betta fish startup kits. (The moss balls are not really moss but a green filamentous algae — aegagropila linnaei — that looks like moss.) As of Monday, infested moss balls had been found in at least 30 states. Consumers are urged not to purchase new moss balls at this point and, if they have any at home that were purchased in recent months, to dispose of them by freezing or dunking them in hot water, salt water or bleach. Once treated, moss balls can be placed in a sealed plastic bag and thrown in the trash. If balls were placed in an aquarium or terrarium, it is a good idea to treat the tank, pump and accessories after removing fish, animals and plants. "We don't know if they (zebra mussels) came from the moss balls' point of origin, or the point of import for the moss balls, or even in storage'' or shipping along the way, Jensen said. "But we know they got to Duluth and other area stores." National chain stores such as Petco and PetSmart, with stores in Duluth, have cooperated with the national effort to destroy the moss balls and any possible zebra mussels and to disinfect their tanks. But Jensen said some national retailers, including Walmart, continue to sell the moss balls. "PetSmart in Duluth put the moss balls with zebra mussels in the freezer and surrendered them to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and then sterilized their tanks,'' Jensen said. "We are still trying to identify all of the smaller stores that may be selling them." At least some of the moss balls may have originated in Ukraine, the native home of zebra mussels, and many appear to have entered the U.S. in Florida. "We don't know where they all are at this point,'' Jensen said. "But there are several more shipments that could be coming into the country." Zebra mussels were first found in Minnesota in the Duluth harbor some three decades ago. They have now been confirmed in 214 lakes, rivers and wetlands in the state and are considered likely in 194 other water bodies connected to those lakes, including popular waterways like Mille Lacs Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish. Still, that's only 408 out of 11,842 Minnesota lakes, or 3.5%, and officials say the public information campaign and action taken by anglers and boaters have helped slow the spread here. "Only a few Northland waters are infested with zebra mussels and we want to keep it that way,'' said Lori Seele, coordinator of the Duluth Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area group. The local group is working to contact smaller stores and get the word out to the public. Zebra mussels and their larger cousins — quagga mussels — are foreign invaders that filter-feed microorganisms out of the water, removing key food from the native food chain. The remarkably clearer water that occurs after their infestation looks good but can cause major disruptions in the ecosystem, sending some fish deeper and allowing more weeds to grow. The invading mussels kill most all native clams and cover all smooth surfaces underwater, disrupting water supplies and forcing expensive cleaning efforts for underwater equipment. For more information on the moss ball problem, go to fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/zebra-mussel-disposal.html. Anyone finding zebra mussels attached to moss balls is asked to report it to the federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database at nas.er.usgs.gov/SightingReport.aspx.

Zebra Mussels Found in Pet Store Aquarium Moss Balls, Owners Urged to Dispose - lptv.org Posted: 22 Mar 2021 10:39 AM PDT Invasive species programs across the country are urging stores to remove Marimo Ball Moss Plants from sale after they were discovered to harbor zebra mussels. Tiny zebra mussels were found in the imported aquarium plants, which are sold in pet, nursery, and home decor stores. According to a release, consumers are urged not to purchase this product but if they have any at home, to safely dispose of them by freezing or dunking in hot water, saltwater, or bleach. Once treated, balls can be placed in a sealed plastic bag and thrown in the trash. If balls were placed in an aquarium or terrarium, it is a good idea to treat the tank, pump, and accessories after removing fish, animals and plants. Zebra mussels, and their relatives, quagga mussels, can quickly take over once they get into lakes and rivers. These invasive mussels can clog drinking water intakes and foul boat hulls, motors, docks, and lifts. They disrupt the food chain and slow the growth of young walleye, making them vulnerable to predation and poor winter survival, according to a recent study by the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center. Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today. By — Betsy Melin

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