It all started in Seattle. A worker at a pet store took a closer look at the moss balls being sold there and found invasive zebra mussels. When the Idaho Department of Agriculture’s Nic Zurfluh found out, his Invasive Species Program went to work testing moss balls all over the state.
“Our response was immediate.”
The velvety moss balls grow as big as five inches while the tiny zebra mussels can be as small as a grain of rice.
Credit Idaho State Department of Agriculture
The Marimo moss balls aren’t moss at all, but a rare round decorative algae popular with aquarium enthusiasts. But where were they coming from?
Mussels discovered in aquarium products sold in Idaho
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The following is a news release from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s (ISDA) Invasive Species Program announced today the detection of invasive zebra mussels in aquarium products sold in the state. The ISDA has found live, viable zebra mussels in Marimo moss balls which commonly are sold for use in aquariums.
ISDA officials were first made aware of the issue Wednesday and agency personnel immediately responded with in-person inspections. ISDA’s response has been part of a coordinated nationwide effort to remove these products from store shelves and advise stores and the public about proper disposal of affected material.
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