MISSOURI – The Missouri Department of Conversation is warning retailers and aquarium owners of a potential zebra mussel infestation in moss balls.
The zebra mussels were discovered inside moss balls in the state of Washington, but the MDC says they were possibly distributed to Missouri buyers.
Zebra mussels can clog power plants and public drinking water intakes, destroy populations of native freshwater mussels, and even impact fisheries and other water ecosystems, according to the MDC.
If an aquarium that contains moss balls is infected with zebra mussels and the aquarium water is poured down a drain, the mussels are then introduced to a new body of water.
Retailers and aquarium owners are encouraged to report zebra mussels in moss balls to a local MDC Regional Office.
