FWP Discovers Non-Native Aquarium Pets in Montana Waters

It might seem like a good idea at the time, but dumping an aquarium pet into a lake or river is not good for the pet or the native wildlife. The pet probably won’t survive, and native wildlife won’t know how to compete with the invasive species.

Earlier this spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel identified two species resulting from aquarium dumps.

The first detection was mystery snails at Finley Point in Flathead Lake. Mystery snails are aquarium snails found in many waters in the West, but this is the first mystery snail population identified in Montana. FWP plans to attempt to remove the snail population later this season.

An angler reported catching a Dojo loach in a small pond near Bozeman. The Dojo loach is native to East Asia and is a popular aquarium pet in the United States.

For more information on how releasing pets into the wild can negatively impact habitat, visit http://www.dontletitloose.com.