DEVELOPING STORY!
This is a developing story. Any updates we receive will be posted here. If you’re a member of the press looking for comment, please contact NAISMA Executive Director Belle Bergner.
This page was last updated on April 13, 2021.
Contact: Belle Bergner, Executive Director North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), , (414) 215-0281
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Environmental Agencies Notify Aquarium Owners Across North America About Potentially Spreading Invasive Mussels Through Marimo Moss Balls; NAISMA Responds
Milwaukee, WI (March 9, 2021)—Late last week, environmental agencies issued notifications to aquarium owners about zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) attached to live Marimo moss balls that have been sold at pet or aquarium supply stores across North America. As the association representing professional invasive species managers, including aquatic invasive species coordinators, NAISMA supports the rapid response of stakeholders to address the issue by destroying—not dumping—aquarium products found to contain invasive zebra mussels.
“Nebraska Game and Parks found zebra mussels present in several Marimo ball containers in retail pet stores,” said Allison Zach, NAISMA board member and Nebraska Invasive Species Program Coordinator. “Fortunately, all Petco and PetSmart locations in the state cooperated in our response effort.”
[See the PetSmart recall here.]
Native to Eurasia, the zebra mussel, and its relative the quagga mussel, severely disrupts food webs, starves native species, encrusts aquatic infrastructure such as aquaculture operations, and reduces recreational opportunities. According to the University of Georgia – Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, it has a small triangular shell with a sharply pointed umbo (hinge end). The prominent dark and light banding pattern on the shell is the most obvious characteristic. The outer covering of the shell is generally well polished, a light tan in color with broad, dark bands across the shell. These bands can be either smooth or zigzag in shape. The presence of byssal threads distinguish them from native species and allow them to attach to surfaces.
“The zebra mussel is considered one of the world’s worst invaders,” says Chuck Bargeron, NAISMA President and co-director for the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia. “Preventing infestations should be a priority. NAISMA applauds the rapid response of states getting ahead of the problem at the retail level. NAISMA members will be called upon to manage infestations, and ultimately taxpayers will bear the burden of managing invasive species.”
Moss balls infested with both live and dead zebra mussels have been confirmed in 41 states [number updated April 13, 2021] in pet stores across the country. NAISMA and its PlayCleanGo® program urges aquarium owners to inspect their fish tanks for the presence of zebra mussels and take action, especially if they have recently purchased or acquired moss balls. Specifically, NAISMA advises to follow the Destroy, Dispose, Drain strategy from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to address the problem.
For questions about invasive species managers’ responses and concerns about invasive zebra mussels and to connect with national leaders addressing invasive species in North America, contact Belle Bergner, Executive Director, North American Invasive Species Management Association at or at (414) 215-0281.
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The mission of the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is to support, promote, and empower invasive species prevention and management in North America. NAISMA is a network of professionals challenged by invasive species: land managers, water resource managers, state, regional, and federal agency directors and staff, researchers, and nonprofit organizations. NAISMA’s members are a diverse group of individuals and organizations who are involved in implementing invasive species management programs at all scales. Its programs aim to provide the support, training, and standards needed by the professional invasive species management community. For more information, visit NAISMA.org.
Q&A on the moss ball situation from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) releases enhanced guidance to eliminate zebra mussel invasive species threat
Alexandria, Va. – April 8, 2021 – The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council has released updated comprehensive guidance to pet businesses on how to correctly handle aquatic moss ball products and aquariums that could contain Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), an invasive species recently discovered in the United States. Zebra mussels, which are fingernail-sized mollusks native to the Caspian Sea region of Asia, were found last month within moss balls being sold and used in aquariums in stores in multiple states, including Oregon, Washington and Florida.
PIJAC has developed an enhanced guidance document for use across the supply chain as well as for the aquarium hobbyist. Download a PDF here.
For the full announcement, and information about PIJAC click HERE. g
March 8, 2021
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists were notified the week of March 1, 2021 that invasive zebra mussels were found attached and inside moss balls sold as aquarium plants. The report came from a Seattle PetCo employee who found zebra mussels attached and inside “Betta Buddy Marimo Ball” moss plants. Once alerted, several other states have reported the presence of both live and dead zebra mussels at other retailers.
Destroy! Don’t Dump!
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has released official guidelines on how to destroy the moss balls. The following is from FWS.gov:
DESTROY, DISPOSE, DRAIN
Do not dispose of the moss balls in drains, waterways or gardens. Moss balls must be destroyed and disposed of in a sealed container in the trash.
When following any of the methods listed below, ensure that the disposal method you choose is in compliance with your local state laws and animal welfare regulations.
DESTROY in one of three ways:
- Freeze – Place the moss ball into a sealable plastic bag and freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Boil – Place the moss ball in boiling water for at least 1 full minute.
- Bleach / Vinegar – Submerge the moss ball in chlorine bleach or undiluted white vinegar for 20 minutes.
DISPOSE of the moss ball and any of its packaging in a sealed plastic bag in the trash. If vinegar, boiling water, or bleach was used, the liquid can be disposed down a household drain — never down a storm drain where it could enter and damage local waterways.
DRAIN and clean the aquarium.
Collect any fish or other living organisms and place them in another container, with water from a separate, uncontaminated water source. Sterilize the contaminated aquarium water by adding ¼ teaspoon bleach for each gallon of water. Let the water sit for 10 minutes and then dispose the sterilized water down a household drain.
Clean the aquarium and accessories using one of the following methods, ensuring that the decontaminate method you choose is in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations:
- Hot Water Method:
- Use water that is 140 degrees F to flush and coat the tank and all accessory surfaces for at least one minute, OR
- Disinfection Method:
- Submerge the moss ball in 1 cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water for 10 minutes or undiluted white vinegar for 20 minutes.
- Soak the aquarium, substrate, rocks, décor, and filter media in the bleach water solution for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off all items prior to setting up the aquarium.
- Dispose of the previously used filter media and replace with new media.
- Use a dechlorinating product to neutralize any residual chlorine prior to reintroducing aquatic life.
It is recommended that you do another water change within a week and continue to monitor the tank for any unusual or unexpected aquatic life.
How have retailers responded?
Both Petco and PetSmart have pulled the product from shelves nationwide and placed them in quarantine. Retailers are partnership with local Fish and Wildlife agencies to address the threat.
In an article that appeared on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website, Petco commented:
“At Petco, we’re committed to supporting the health and wellness of pets, people, and our planet,” said Dr. Whitney Miller, head of Veterinary Medicine at Petco. “We immediately paused the sale of all Marimo aquarium moss balls at Petco locations and on petco.com and placed them in quarantine. We’re working closely with regulatory authorities, our vendor partners, and our own veterinary staff on appropriate next steps, including proper handling and disposal of any affected products and proactively contacting our customers to provide information and resources on how to responsibly collect and dispose of them at home if necessary.”
What are zebra mussels?
Zebra mussels are regarded as one of the most destructive invasive species in North America. They are small, fingernail-sized mollusks native to fresh waters in Eurasia. Their name comes from the dark zig-zagged stripes on each shell. Adult zebra mussels can stay alive for several days outside of water and commonly attach to boats, fishing equipment and aquarium plants.
Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they can attach to and incapacitate native mussels. They also clog water intakes and cost the U.S. millions of dollars in removal each year.
