Wildlife officials concerned invasive zebra mussel could escape into state’s waterways

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking retailers and consumers to help stop the spread of a dangerous invasive mussel found in aquarium moss balls sold in the state and nationwide.

Zebra mussels — highly invasive, freshwater mussels that are illegal to possess in California — were found at a national pet supply retailer on aquatic moss balls traced to a distributor in Southern California.