Heads up pet keepers: zebra mussels have been spotted in Petco Betta Buddy brand moss balls.
If you don’t know what zebra mussels are, they’re an invasive aquatic species that reproduces incredibly quickly, to the point where it can damage power plant equipment and pipes, and also is a major threat to native mussels as it rapidly outcompetes them. They are a scourge on lakes across the midwest and spread easily on boats or other watercraft thats been exposed to them.
Finding one in a chain pet store item is BAD NEWS. These items are sold across the entire country and this has the potential to be a major spreader event. If you spot a zebra mussel on marimo or on any other aquarium plant please make a report to the relevant wildlife officials so they can be controlled. Do not dispose of any aquarium animal or plant in a waterway.
If we are vigilant, we can help keep our native mussels safe.
I know this isn’t enclosure related, but this is very important! Please be aware when buying supplies for your tanks!
These things are everywhere in the Great Lakes area. Native birds have a tendency to consume these things and have taken critical damage to their populations, these things are poisonous and are hard to get rid of. Please take serious precautions. Don’t even think about dumping them outside. That would make the situation a whole lot worse.
It’s all well and good and valid to say “Don’t make fun of this privileged group because this non privileged group might think you’re talking about them” but a part of me is also like what if we don’t bully people for things out of their control?
Like I’ve seen people say things like “Don’t call men ugly because trans men/trans women/mlm might be affected by it!” and like as a trans mlm maybe just like… don’t… insult the way men look? Because they’re people?
Like cishet men need to be made aware of their privilege and held accountable for their actions for sure. But also like… maybe don’t give random strangers body issues?
Today I also saw a post that seemed to be saying “Don’t make fun of fat men because that will affect fat people that aren’t men” but like… fat cis men also deserve to be okay with being fat too. Like I’m aware that they have privilege that non cis men don’t. I know. But like… cis fat men see these things, and have body issues, and get affected by it. They do.
