I recently got some freshwater mussels with the intention of putting them in my pond to help with the water clarity and with the muck that accumulates on the bottom, but I decided to do more research before adding them (they're in a big tub at the moment) and I have found conflicting info and I hope someone who already has mussels can help. Some say the larvae are parasites on fish and can cause the fish problems, and others say they are just hitching a ride on the fish and are harmless. I only have goldfish, and I would appreciate any info anyone has to offer.
Mussels in pond?
Do you know the correct scientific name? It would make finding the information much easier. Also, how and where did you get them?
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_trackers/mussel/biology/
If the mussels you have are these I'd be very wary of anything that attached to the fish's gills. You'll note that they state that "Larval mussels rarely harm infected fish under natural conditions." Your pond is not a "natural condition". The mussels could multiply out of control and overwhelm your goldfish.
This message was edited Mar 4, 2009 11:26 AM
This message was edited Mar 4, 2009 11:28 AM
I'm not sure what species they are. I got them from a friend at work who got them on ebay, I know they are not the aquarium type clams, they're brownish with some silver near where the shells are attached together. If I can find out from her what seller she got them from maybe I can find out their proper name. I'm normally not this clueless, but since I didn't plan to have them and they're not something I ever looked into before you'll have to bear with me:-)
This is a potentially dangerous situation. Suppose you put these mussels in your pond and they survive and reproduce. Then you give some goldfish away in a container with your pond water to someone else. That pond water could hold mussel larvae. Repeat this scenario enough and eventually those mussels or their larvae could wind up in a natural waterway. If they are non native and find conditions to theri likeing they could upset and threaten an entire aquatic ecosystem. Please don't do anything with them until you are certain of what you have.
The entire Lake Erie basin was severly impacted by the accidental importation of zebra mussels in ballast water from ocean ships. It nearly wrecked the sport fising industy. It caused power plants that used lake water and municipal water plants that draw water for drinking from the lake, along the entire Lake Erie shoreline to spend millions to mitigate the zebra mussel. It's an ongoing battle to this day.
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/nov/23/1123_mussels/
http://www.gma.org/surfing/human/zebra.html
http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/Communications/greatlakes/glnetwork/exotics.html
Ok, I think you need to calm down just a bit. I wasn't planning to set them free nor put them into fish containing ponds until I determine what risk, if any, they pose. I never give away fish, and there isn't even a body of water within miles of my home so I think the chances of them escaping and becoming the next great plague is limited.
I didn't ask the question to start a whole big debate about infestations of exotic pests, I simply wanted to know if anyone could give me a definitive answer about the safety of these creatures in a pond that has fish.
So, if no one else has any info, and I'm unable to determine what species they are, I guess I will have to condemn the poor things to life in a small waterlily tub that has no fish in it...
I have mussels in my fish pond (and dam that the pond drains into). They are natives, as are the fish, so it doesn't worry me. The fish move between the pond and dam during heavy rain events (during the wet season), and also between the dam and swamp/creek systems on my place. The whole system is in balance because it's based on what exists in the area. It's always worth being cautious with introducing non-native species. Mussel larvae are parasites rather than just hitching a ride. But you've got the right idea about how to keep them.
Tropicbreeze-Nice to have someone from down under. Are you new or just shy about posting? I used to live in NSW and would love to know about the ponding experience in OZ. Do you have any pictures of your pond and dam?
Show me please!
Linda
G'day Linda, I'm still new here and have slowly been finding my way around. I've put up some pictures on my first post in the tropical zone forum, called Tentative first steps. Some others in the Australian gardening forum as well.