3/11/21 - Vermont Agency of Natural Resources staff scientists were alerted last week that an aquarium plant sold within Vermont and throughout the country may contain an invasive aquatic animal species, zebra mussels
(Dreissena polymorpha). The aquarium plant commonly known as moss balls, may be sold under names including “Beta Buddy Marimo Balls,” “Mini Marimo Moss Balls,” and “Marimo Moss Ball Plant” and were available to purchase in large department stores or through online sales. While the plant is benign, the plants may harbor zebra mussels within the plant, or within the packaging.
Zebra mussels are a small freshwater mollusk aquatic invasive species that can reproduce rapidly and cause detrimental harm to the ecological balance within a water system. They can also cause an economic burden, clogging pipes and other underwater infrastructure. As filter-feeders, they prolifically consume microscopic aquatic life, which causes a potential impact to native mollusk species.