Chrysemys
Community Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2018
- Messages
- 90
- Reaction score
- 157
- What state or country do you live in
- Idaho
Got this e-mail at work today.....
“Hello All,
Please be aware that aquarium products known as "moss balls," sold for betta and shrimp habitat, were discovered to have zebra mussels living inside of them. This discovery was made by a Seattle PetCo employee and is now a national alert put out by the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species program.
These moss balls have been found with live zebra mussels in N. Idaho pet stores and other parts of the State. They have also been found in Oregon, WA and Montana. All submerged moss ball products are currently being pulled from shelves and they are decontaminating store equipment as needed. It has been reported that PetCo and other pet stores have been extremely cooperative.
The larvae of zebra mussels are microscopic, so you should assume all equipment, plants or rocks that have come in contact with a moss ball need to be decontaminated.
In order to practice extreme precaution, please decontaminate your aquarium if you have ANY submerged moss ball products:
· DO NOT FLUSH, DUMP or THROW AWAY potentially contaminated water or products!
· Transfer fish and animals to a new container
· Keep moss ball(s), water, rocks, etc in the aquarium and add 1 cup of bleach per gallon. Let sit for at least 20 minutes before pouring water down the sink or toilet.
If you are not an aquarium owner but know someone who is, please share this information with them.”
..... This is a huge deal if you live in the western United States. Please contact your state Department of Agriculture to get questions answered.
I know these are more common in freshwater aquariums, but I have heard them used here and I’m not on FW forums. Please spread the news.
“Hello All,
Please be aware that aquarium products known as "moss balls," sold for betta and shrimp habitat, were discovered to have zebra mussels living inside of them. This discovery was made by a Seattle PetCo employee and is now a national alert put out by the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species program.
These moss balls have been found with live zebra mussels in N. Idaho pet stores and other parts of the State. They have also been found in Oregon, WA and Montana. All submerged moss ball products are currently being pulled from shelves and they are decontaminating store equipment as needed. It has been reported that PetCo and other pet stores have been extremely cooperative.
The larvae of zebra mussels are microscopic, so you should assume all equipment, plants or rocks that have come in contact with a moss ball need to be decontaminated.
In order to practice extreme precaution, please decontaminate your aquarium if you have ANY submerged moss ball products:
· DO NOT FLUSH, DUMP or THROW AWAY potentially contaminated water or products!
· Transfer fish and animals to a new container
· Keep moss ball(s), water, rocks, etc in the aquarium and add 1 cup of bleach per gallon. Let sit for at least 20 minutes before pouring water down the sink or toilet.
If you are not an aquarium owner but know someone who is, please share this information with them.”
..... This is a huge deal if you live in the western United States. Please contact your state Department of Agriculture to get questions answered.
I know these are more common in freshwater aquariums, but I have heard them used here and I’m not on FW forums. Please spread the news.
