#Moss balls zebra mussels how to

The moss balls could be purchased at PetSmart, Petco and other national pet supply retailers but the Commission is working to remove and destroy the product. These moss balls are generally sold at PetCo. The 'Marimo Moss Ball Plant Grab & Go' and 'Mini Marimo Moss Balls' brands of moss balls were specifically identified to potentially be carrying the zebra mussels. We warned back in March 2021 that Marimo Moss Balls were contaminated with Zebra Mussels.

It's actually illegal to possess zebra mussels in North Carolina,' fisheries biologist Todd Ewing wrote in a statement. 'The Wildlife Commission has led a concerted effort to keep the species out of the state because of both the negative ecological and commercial impacts.

#Moss balls zebra mussels how to

Learn more about the situation, rapid response efforts by federal and state agencies, and how to properly destroy the moss balls. Zebra mussels are regarded as one of the most destructive invasive species in North America. Zebra mussels are a highly invasive species that pose a serious threat to Canada’s aquatic. The presence of zebra mussels hiding in marimo moss balls were discovered in early March 2021 (perhaps earlier) in the US. Invasive zebra mussels have been found in 'moss balls an aquarium plant product sold at aquarium and pet supply stores. Wildlife officials said not only are zebra mussels harmful to other aquatic life, the invasive species can clog water pipes and restrict water supplies. Nearly 3,000 moss balls, which are suspected or confirmed to be contaminated with zebra mussels, have been seized or surrendered to conservation officers as part of widespread efforts to stop the potential spread of the invasive species.

Moss balls are often used in home aquariums to help absorb harmful nutrients in the water and limit the growth of undesirable algae, according to state officials. While there have been no confirmed cases in the state, the Wildlife Commission noticed that it appears the moss balls, were imported from Ukraine to a distributor in California that shipped the contaminated product to retail pet stores nationwide. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is warning the public to safely dispose of recently purchased aquarium moss balls after the invasive zebra mussels were discovered inside the product.