Invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium item sold at pet stores, ODFW says - KTVZ

Invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium item sold at pet stores, ODFW says - KTVZ

Invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium item sold at pet stores, ODFW says - KTVZ

Posted: 03 Mar 2021 10:28 PM PST

Consumers urged to stop buying product, safely dispose of it

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Wildlife agencies are urging pet and aquarium stores to remove "Betta Buddy Marimo Ball," a moss plant for aquariums, after invasive zebra mussels were discovered inside the product.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was recently alerted about this situation after hearing about a Seattle Petco employee finding the zebra mussels attached and inside "Betta Buddy Marimo Ball" moss plants.

ODFW's Invasive Species Program supervisor also visited a store in the Salem area on Wednesday and found viable zebra mussels in the product. These stores have since removed the product from their shelves.

Consumers are also urged to stop buying this product and to safely dispose of it by either freezing or boiling the moss ball before disposing of it in the trash (do not flush down toilet or throw outside as mulch).

For your aquarium, after removing the fish,  apply household bleach (one cup of bleach per gallon of water) and let it set for 10 minutes before disposing of water down sink or toilet. Also disinfect filters, gravel and structures with a solution of bleach before disposing of the water down the toilet.

The concern is that live mussels released into a storm drain or flushed could be introduced into a waterway. 

"We urge all pet stores to immediately remove this product from their shelves," said Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Program supervisor. "Our concern is that invasive mussels from this product could get into the wild, start a population and do serious damage.

"Another concern is that we might pick up tissue from the invasive mussel in the water when we sample, which could give us a false positive eDNA (environmental DNA) test," he added.

Zebra and Quagga mussels can quickly take over, once they get established in a waterbody. They will cause disruption of the food chain, change the chemistry of the water (which can cause more blue green algae outbreaks or offensive taste) and clog water intake and delivery systems for drinking water, irrigation and hydro power. 

Currently, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest are free of zebra or Quagga mussels, thanks to a monitoring program that requires watercraft to be inspected when entering Oregon (https://myodfw.com/articles/waterway-access-and-aquatic-invasive-species-permits).  

ODFW and other state and federal fish and wildlife agencies are working together to address this development.

Norwalk's Maritime Aquarium adds 4D movie theater expansion - Attractions Magazine

Posted: 03 Mar 2021 09:47 AM PST

Come face-to-face with the world's most mysterious sharks, and travel back in time with saber-toothed squirrel, Scrat, as The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk debuts its brand new 4D theater.

maritime aquarium

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Conn., says "good-bye" to its old IMAX theater and "hello" to a whole new world of dimensional viewing, with the addition of a 169-seat theater and two-story screen. In-seat vibrations and in-theater effects such as FX lighting, bubbles, wind, mist, and even snow, enhance the cinematic experience.

maritime aquarium

Jason Patlis, president and CEO of The Maritime Aquarium shares his enthusiasm for the addition: "We're very excited for our guests to have this fun, new, immersive way of exploring and understanding our world. Having a shark swim right off the screen so that you believe you can touch it, and feeling the spray as an ocean wave crashes, will be memorable shared experiences for kids and parents, students and teachers, young and old. Including a 4D movie is going to be a must during a visit to The Maritime Aquarium."

Two films, made in cooperation with SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment, will show every hour throughout the day:

shark a 4d experience
  • Shark: A 4D Experience: Part of BBC Earth's documentary programming, this 12-minute film immerses viewers in up-close encounters with the strangest and most elusive shark species' on the planet. Pair it with a visit to the aquarium's Shark & Ray Touch Pool, and the Ocean Beyond the Sound tank, featuring New England's most impressive collection of big sharks.
ice age no time for nuts 4d
  • Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4D: This zany, nut-crazed adventure journeys back in time with everyone's favorite saber-toothed squirrel, Scrat, from the "Ice Age" franchise. Scrat would have been right at home on the shores of Long Island Sound, which was formed during the last ice age.

Attendance during each showing will be limited to allow for physical distancing, and 3D glasses will be cleaned after each use. Digital screenings of 2D and 3D films will also take place during special events.

"We intend to take full advantage of this exciting new resource," says Patlis, "with animal and art talks relating to our new exhibit, called, 'A Slug's Life: Facing the Climate Endgame,' plus a spring lecture series and other special presentations."

Also new to the aquarium is Sound Bites coffee shop, featuring Starbucks' full menu of hot and cold drinks, as well as pastries and other items supplied by local bakeries.

"We look for ways, big and small, to support the local community," Patlis says, "and welcoming some of the area's wonderful bakeries to provide a steady supply of pastries and other foods to the Sound Bites coffee shop is a delicious idea."

maritime aquarium

Maritime Aquarium admission is $26.95 for adults; $24.95 for 65+; and $19.95 for ages 3-12. Tickets for 4D movies are an additional $7 per person ($6 for members). Time-specific tickets for the aquarium and theater must be purchased in advance online.

For more information, or to reserve tickets, visit MaritimeAquarium.org.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This fish is worth $300,000 - New York Post

This fish is worth $300,000 - New York Post This fish is worth $300,000 - New York Post Posted: 05 Jun 2016 12:00 AM PDT With exacting precision, the surgeon inserted the scalpel above the eyeball and cut out a snotty deposit of fatty tissue. The routine eye-lift was nearly complete when suddenly the patient awoke, suffocating, and began to flop about on the table. The audience gasped. Knowing time was of the essence, the surgeon scooped up the patient in his arms, raced across the stage, and dropped her into a tank of water. She revived. Because she was a fish. Yes, fish eye-lifts exist. As do fin jobs and tail tucks. The operating theater was a mall in Jakarta, Indonesia, where a pet expo was under way. As for the patient, she survived, her formerly droopy eyes now bright and perky. A good thing, too, as this was no ordinary goldfish but rather an Asian arowana, the world's most expensive aquarium denizen, rumored to sell for as mu...
Read more

Catching Dory: selling aquarium fish supports coastal livelihoods in Indonesia | npj Ocean Sustainability - Nature.com

Image
Abstract The global marine aquarium trade has created new local markets across the planet, including in Indonesia, now the second-largest exporting country of marine aquarium fish in the world. Participating in the global aquarium trade has been touted as a potentially sustainable addition to fisher livelihoods, but scant data exist showing the numbers of fish coming off the reef and how those fish contribute to income. To determine how participants in the trade incorporate aquarium species in their livelihoods, we examine source-level aquarium fish collecting and trading data in the Banggai Archipelago, a region in Central Sulawesi that has become a significant source for popular aquarium, also known as ornamental, fish species. Using a sustainable livelihoods lens, we examine this data to understand how participants in the aquarium trade both contribute to as well as benefit from the trade and consider how their participation relates to emerging Blue Justice principles. From one year...
Read more

Discover the Top 12 Most Expensive Types of Betta Fish - AZ Animals

Image
Did you know you can spend thousands of dollars on an extra fancy Betta fish? These little aquatic friends also known as Siamese Fighting Fish may only live two to five years, but their short lifespan means little regarding their worth. Fish hobbyists love intriguing and rare colors of fish, and betta fish enthusiasts are no different. Siamese fighting fish are native to Southeast Asia's 75-80°F (23-27°C) waters. You can find them in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam freshwaters. The males are flamboyantly colored with big billowing tails, giving them a magical, elegant look. They gracefully swim in their tanks, providing a splash of beauty and color in the homes of millions of people worldwide. Though betta fish are relatively easy to care for, they are also not the simplest, so be sure to do all your research before adding these beautiful fish to your aquarium. An overview of the 12 Most Expensive Types of Betta Fish. 1. True Purple Betta The rar...
Read more