Zebra mussel in moss balls (photo / City of Richmond)

By Kevin Rothwell

Vigilance encouraged for fish tank owner

Invasive mussel concern needs to get out to public

Mar 20, 2021 | 9:00 AM

North Okanagan Regional District directors are concerned the issue of zebra and quagga mussels being found in moss balls sold to aquarium owners is going to be lost in the shuffle.

“I think there needs to be an initiative to get that information out. The Okanagan Basin Water Board and Shuswap Watershed Council have independently put that information out but I’m not sure we are going to reach everybody,” Area B Electoral director Bob Fleming said.

B.C. conservation officers recently checked the moss balls at 600 provincial pet supply stores and while non were found containing the mussels in our area, there is still need for vigilance.

There is concern that aquarium owners may unwittingly dump water down a drain when cleaning their tank, with the mussels in the water.

The invasive mussels have devastated ecosystems, beaches and water infrastructure anywhere they have gotten established.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

16h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

“This is an individual thing, it’s not a special interest group. There are all kinds of people in every community that have aquariums and could be affecting us,” Fleming added.

RDNO staff will be looking at additional ways of spreading the message to aquarium owners.