Idahoans should inspect moss aquarium balls for possible zebra mussels, officials warn

Officials in Washington state say zebra mussels were found Aug. 5 on Marimo moss aquarium balls. (Courtesy of Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife)

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture says aquarium owners should inspect Marimo moss aquarium balls after fast-spreading zebra mussels were found in neighboring Washington state.

Zebra mussels — like quagga mussels — are an invasive species that can clog water pipes and harm native fish populations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation .

Zebra mussels were detected in Washington on Aug. 5 on Marimo moss balls shipped to a wholesale aquarium company in Renton, Washington.

Officials say Idaho has minimal Marimo moss balls, but they call the risk concerning.

Idaho State Department of Agriculture officials have inspected local pet and aquarium stores, and they will keep working to collect and dispose of affected products, according to a news release Monday.

So far, Idaho officials have not discovered more invasive quagga mussels

All aquarium owners should “carefully examine their own material for invasive species,” and follow official guidance on how to safely dispose of contaminated material, the Idaho agriculture department says. Owners should not dump aquarium water or throw away moss balls into drains or natural bodies of water, Idaho officials say.

Zebra mussels were last found in moss balls in Idaho in 2021, after initial detection in Seattle that grew to 41 states and nine Canadian provinces, the release said.

After chemically killing quagga mussels in the Snake River last fall, Idaho officials haven’t spotted viable quagga mussels this spring. But they say they still need to sample amid peak reproduction season, the Idaho Capital Sun reported .

Need more info or help on zebra mussels?

Visit invasivespecies.idaho.gov/mos s .

Contact the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s Invasive Species Program at 877-336-8676 or info@isda.idaho.gov.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST