Zebra mussels are an invasive , fingernail-sized mollusk that is native to fresh waters in Eurasia. Their name comes from the dark, zig-zagged stripes on each shell. Zebra mussels probably arrived in the Great Lakes in the 1980s via ballast water that was discharged by large ships from Europe.
Why is the zebra mussel a problem?
In spite of their small size (often no bigger than a penny) zebra mussels cause far-reaching damage to water structures and native ecosystems . ... They also negatively impact aquatic ecosystems by harming native organisms. In huge numbers, they out-compete other filter feeders, starving them.
Are zebra mussels an invasive species in the US?
Zebra mussels are one of the most devastating invasive species in North America . When they become established in an environment, they alter food webs and change water chemistry, harming native fish plants and other aquatic life.
Is the zebra an invasive species?
They are an invasive mollusk species (Dreissena polymorpha) that have been found in many lakes and rivers across the Heartland.
Are zebra mussels destructive?
In spite of their small size (often no bigger than a penny) zebra mussels cause far-reaching damage to water structures and native ecosystems . ... They also negatively impact aquatic ecosystems by harming native organisms. In huge numbers, they out-compete other filter feeders, starving them.
Can you swim in a lake with zebra mussels?
Yes ,” she said. Montz recommends checking the DNR's map of lakes with zebra mussels before you jump in the water. The mussels don't like sand, because there's nothing they can attach to, so he said that you should be fine swimming on a sandy shoreline.
Are zebra mussels good for anything?
The dreaded zebra mussel — an invasive species — is killing off native species in lakes and rivers all over the country. But in Lake Ontario, it turns out the zebra mussel has had a positive impact for salmon fishermen. It's producing fatter, faster-growing salmon.
Can we eat zebra mussels?
Are Zebra Mussels edible? Most clams and mussels are edible , but that does not mean they taste good! Many species of fish and ducks eat Zebra Mussels, so they are not harmful in that sense. ... To be safe, it is not recommended to eat Zebra Mussels.
What happens to a lake with zebra mussels?
Zebra and other invasive mussels filter out phytoplankton and suspend solids in the water , lowering oxygen levels triggering bacteria growth.
Are zebra mussels harmful to humans?
Inland lakes in Michigan that have been invaded by zebra mussels, an exotic species that has plagued bodies of water in several states since the 1980s, have higher levels of algae that produce a toxin that can be harmful to humans and animals , according to a Michigan State University researcher.
Can you see zebra mussels?
You can't always see zebra mussels because their larvae are invisible to the naked eye . They can survive for days in water trapped in a boat. The only way to be sure you're not carrying zebra mussels to another body of water is to always Clean Drain Dry your boat, trailer, and gear.
Where do zebra mussels live now?
The first established population was discovered in 1988 at Lake St. Clair, which straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada and which connects to Lake Erie and Lake Huron. They quickly spread across the Great Lakes, and are now present in the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers as far north as Stillwater .
Why are zebra mussels bad in Texas?
Zebra mussels multiply rapidly over large areas, lack natural predators in Texas lakes and can cause tremendous environmental and economic damage. Zebra mussels can damage boats by encrusting boat hulls; clogging water systems used in boat motors, air conditioners and heads; and by causing navigation buoys to sink.
Can a lake get rid of zebra mussels?
The notion that zebra mussels cannot be eradicated once they infest a lake appears again and again in the media. It often shows up before zebra mussels themselves are detected.
Do zebra mussels carry diseases?
As they filter water, invasive mussels retain water-borne toxins within their tissues, exposing mussel-eating fish and waterfowl to illnesses such as botulism .
Can zebra mussels make you sick?
Zebra mussels have been devastating the Higgins Eyes in the Lake Pepin area. (John Doman, Pioneer Press.) ... In Michigan, where zebra mussels have infested more than 200 lakes, blue-green algae blooms — the kind that can make people sick and have killed animals that drink the water — are enjoying a resurgence of sorts.
