150 invasive Chinese mystery snails found in mid-Missouri lake
MARSHALL, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation recently confirmed the presence of 150 invasive Chinese mystery snails in a mid-Missouri lake.
MDC staff collected and removed more than 150 specimens from Lake Minesa in Marshall, Missouri, following a tip from a concerned citizen.
The Chinese mystery snail is an invasive freshwater species that has been documented in at least 11 other Missouri counties, according to MDC. Although these snails are small, with brown shells up to 2.5 inches long, they are difficult to remove from waterways because of their hardness and rapid reproduction.
“These snails, like other invasive species, are able to reproduce rapidly and outcompete our native species for important food and habitat resources,” said MDC Malacologist, Stephen McMurray via a news release. “Chinese mystery snails in particular can be a vector of diseases that can affect humans, so we don’t want them in our waterways.”
Chinese mystery snails thrive in calm, muddy habitats such as lakes, ponds, ditches and slow-moving streams. They typically feed on algae and organic matter attached to vegetation, competing with native snails for food and space.
Females can produce more than 160 broods in a lifetime and produce hundreds of young during their lifetime, making the species difficult to control. Females may live up to five years, while males usually survive around three.
Chinese mystery snails are sometimes used in aquariums for algae control and as ornamental pets. While it's unclear how the species made way into Lake Minesa, MDC reminds the public to never release an aquarium species or aquarium water into natural habitats.
MDC also urges clean boating techniques to help prevent the spread of Chinese mystery snails, zebra mussels and other invasive species.
