State and federal wildlife agencies are warning pet and aquarium store owners and their customers about the finding earlier this month of invasive zebra mussels in aquarium products known as “moss balls.”
According to federal officials, reports of zebra mussels in moss balls have come from 21 states, including Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Virginia in the Southeast. The products, “Betta Buddy Marimo Ball” and similarly described products, were imported and have been distributed nationwide in the U.S, according to state and federal officials.
Most major pet stores have already pulled these products from shelves, officials said. However, consumers should always be cautious about products purchased online. It is illegal in the U.S. to purchase, possess or transport zebra mussels.
On March 6, national chain PetSmart issued a notice to customers stating, “We are voluntarily withdrawing the Marimo aquarium moss balls listed below due to invasive zebra mussels being found within a variety of moss ball products.”
Another national chain with stores in Chattanooga, Petco, also warned customers away from the products and said they were working with wildlife officials.