NSW rivers and lakes are home to many native freshwater molluscs. These animals are important for keeping our waterways healthy.
But some molluscs from other places can cause big problems if they get into our waters. That is why we need to keep an eye out for them.
One pest, the freshwater gold clam, was first found in Queensland in 2023. Others, like the zebra mussel and quagga mussel, haven’t been found in the wild in Australia yet, but they could sneak in.
Zebra mussels have already been spotted in aquarium products, like marimo moss balls. Hitchhiking pests can hide on plants, animals, water, or gravel. So, if you have an aquarium, make sure nothing from it goes into our rivers or lakes. If you are retiring an aquarium, make sure you rehome your plants and animals, or dispose of them responsibly, so they don’t end up harming our waterways.
Finding freshwater pests early gives us the best chance to stop them. Learn what they look like and report any you see. You can help protect NSW’s waterways and wildlife!
