New Zealand Mud Snails(Potamopyrgus antipodarum)

Discussion in 'Fly Fishing Forum' started by Jeremy King, Feb 27, 2013.

  1. Jim Wallace Smells like low tide

    Posts: 4,968
    Cohasset Beach, on the Coast
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    Thanks for that map, Richard. I clicked on your link and zoomed in on the mouth of the Columbia R and zeroed in on the WA side. Looks like one was found at the boat launch in Ilwaco, and other ones found at a couple of other spots along the shoreline and jetties. Actually, it looks like 3 - 5 were found at the boat launch over near the Coast Guard Station. The color code for the dots indicates only one snail found at each other spot, but it does indicated their presence. These could have arrive on waders, boots, maybe boats/trailers, shore birds or migrating water fowl, etc.
    I didn't see any locations "around the corner" in Willapa Bay, but I did see a couple dots on the Grays River, which I have fished in waders and felt soles, but not for 3 or 4 years.
    My guess is that we'll likely see them in Willapa Bay streams very shortly. I'll bet that they are already in the Naselle River. Its not that far from the Grays. Lots of fishers can hit each river system in the same day, if they want to.
  2. Mel King Member

    Posts: 100
    rainier,wash
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    I guided the madison for the years when the NZsnails began their takeover. Towards the end of my time there you could feel them crunching underfoot as you waded in some sections. I have always wondered if the fish ate them although I doubted it. Some of the sections were just black on the bottom.I haven't been back for years so I don't know what its like now.I don't know if they have made it to the Henry's Fork and Gallatin rivers but probably so. Back then we didn't have the knowledge of what was going on like exists now. Since I guided all the rivers I probably spread them around myself.It's to bad that by the time you figure out how serious an invasive species is,it's to late!
  3. Jim Wallace Smells like low tide

    Posts: 4,968
    Cohasset Beach, on the Coast
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    You will still find lots of folks who apparently aren't aware of the issues associated with transporting stuff from one body of water to another. I still see boat trailers going down the road trailing all kinds of aquatic vegetation. Unbelievable, but true. Mainly locals, here in my area, that I observe doing that. I might just start calling them in, if I can get their license #'s. Just a vehicle description might suffice.. :cool:
  4. Jeremy King New Member

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    [IMG][IMG]
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    Some updated pics
  5. Jim Wallace Smells like low tide

    Posts: 4,968
    Cohasset Beach, on the Coast
    Ratings: +261 / 0
    Jeremy, the ones in your photos don't look as "conical" or tapered as the ones in the file photos of NZ Mudsnails, as far as I can tell. Count the number of whorls on the shells. NZMS have 5 whorls.
    I don't see five on your samples.
  6. Jeremy King New Member

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    thanks for the replys :) Does anyone know what species these are, and if they are invasive or not?
  7. Bob Triggs STOP KILLING WILD STEELHEAD!!!!

    Here is a wdfw link to their recommendations on prevention of spreading these invasives: www.wdfw.wa.gov/ais/youcanhelp.html

    This is a problem that is not going to go away any time soon. Having grown up in the northeast myself, I witnessed first-hand the incredible explosion of the zebra mussel and other invasive species on our Great Lakes waters and beyond. This is something I would like to see more anglers take on as volunteers, possibly coordinating between wdfw and the Washington State University Water Programs.
    http://olympicpeninsulaflyfishing.blogspot.com
  8. Daryle Holmstrom retiredfishak

    Posts: 2,458
    Mount Vernon, WA
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    Take a look at the bigger trouts pucker hole in Pass lake, last study in 1973 was a third snails, third crayfish , and third chiros with a small % of dragons and damsels
  9. Taxon Moderator

    Posts: 827
    Mercer Island, WA
    Ratings: +32 / 0
    Hi Jeremy-

    I believe your freshwater snails to be of family Hydrobiidae (Pebble Snails) and of genus Fluminicola. Please see below image:

    [IMG]
  10. Jeremy King New Member

    Posts: 16
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    thank you very much that is what i was looking for I know its a gastropod and it is a Lithoglyphinae but then from there its tricky there is so much to snails aand so many species even if their not invasive its good to know what part they play in my local river :)