Zebra mussels hitch a ride

One of North America’s most prolific invasive species has been caught hitching a ride on a popular aquarium accessory.  

Moss balls are an aquatic algae, that is purchased as an accessory for aquariums. Recently, it was discovered that invasive zebra mussels have been attaching themselves on to the moss balls.  

Zebra mussels are one of the most damaging invasive species in the U.S., once in a water source the species can kill off native species, clog water systems and change the overall balance of the aquatic ecosystem.   

Contaminated moss balls have been found in 26 U.S. states, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,  Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is asking that anyone who has recently purchased a moss ball dispose of it  properly. 

The moss balls can be destroyed one of three ways, by freezing the moss ball in a sealed container for 24 hours, boiling the moss ball for at least one minute or by placing the moss ball in bleach or vinegar.  

After destroying the moss ball, it should be placed in a sealed container and disposed into a dumpster or garbage can.  

FWS asks that aquarium owners do not dispose of moss balls or aquarium water into a water source or sink drains.  

Aquariums should be cleaned after a moss ball has been disposed of. All aquarium accessories and fish should be removed from the aquarium and placed in uncontaminated water.  

The water in the tank should be decontaminated by adding one-third cup of bleach for every gallon of water to the aquarium. After sitting for 10 minutes this mixture can be dumped down a drain.   

The empty tank and accessories can be cleaned using water that is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the materials soak for at least two minutes. Decontamination can also be done by letting the materials soak for 24 hours in water that has half a cup of salt per gallon added or soaking materials for 10 minutes in one-third cup of bleach per gallon. 

If zebra mussels are found on a moss ball a report should be made to the United States Geological Survey Non-indigenous Aquatic Species data base.