A quickly reproducing invasive pest is colonizing both the Feather and Yuba Rivers and officials fret the creature could disrupt one of California’s largest fish hatcheries.
The creature, the tiny New Zealand mud snail, has no native predators. Anna Kastner, manager of the Feather River Fish Hatchery, said the snails could force the suspend fish releases into Lake Oroville.
The snails, which only reach about a quarter-inch in size, multiply quickly and are nearly indestructible. They out-compete native snails and other insects robbing local fish of a food supply. They can survive a full day without water and up to seven weeks on a damp surface.
Kastner said she found mud snails hiding under every rock she checked below the fish barrier dam. She said there was nothing authorities can do, other than try to prevent their spread. She said if they reach the hatchery officials may have to halt releases anywhere the snails haven’t yet reached.
The snails are commonly spread by boats, trailers and fishing gear. Kastner said they’ve been detected in the American, Sacramento and Yuba rivers, along with the Feather River downstream from the fish barrier.