Maine IF&W Warns New Invasive Species in Fish Tank Moss Balls

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife's Facebook page, there is a new invasive species that is causing problems for fish tank owners in the state of Maine.

The popular fish tank décor item 'moss balls' have been found in pet stores to contain zebra mussels in them. Maine IF&W describes zebra mussels as one of the most 'invasive species in North America. They go on to explain that the zebra mussels are being found buried inside moss balls commonly sold under the name 'Beta Buddy' among other common names.

They say that if you have purchased moss balls for your fish tank recently you need to destroy them immediately. You can do so through one of several option. First you can place them in a sealable bag and put them in the freezer for 24 hours. Additionally you can place the moss balls into boiling water for at least one minute. Finally, you can submerge the balls of moss into chlorine bleach for at least twenty minutes.

When you have successfully destroyed them they need to be thrown away. You should do so by placing the moss balls in a sealed bag and throwing them away in the trash. Remember to NEVER put them down a drain or toilet. If, for whatever reason, they weren't fully destroyed, they could wreak havoc in whatever waterway they ended up in.

ATTENTION HOME AQUARIUM OWNERS:
Invasive zebra mussels...
Posted by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife on Monday, March 8, 2021

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