-Zebra Mussels are reproductively mature within 1 year and
females can produce up to 30,000 eggs in first year of their
-The shell of their trochophore larvae forms within 2 to 9 days
-Zebra Mussels were most likely to be brought to America as larvae in
ballast of water of ships that traveled from fresh water Europe
to the Great Lakes.
-Zebra Mussels were first found in 1991 in the Pool 8 of the
-Zebra Mussels are only freshwater mollusks that can firmly
attach themselves to solid objects.
-In 2001, Wisconsin
Electric Power Company reported they were spending 1.2 mil a
year in control of zebra mussels on their Lake Michigan power
-They are the only freshwater bivalve that is known to have a free swimming veliger larva.
-The invasion of the Zebra Mussels was
one of the most important invasion in
-There are many methods that have been tested in order to control the spread of Zebra Mussels. Some of these methods work better than others depending on the situation.
-Chemical Molluscicides: Oxidizing (chlorine,
chlorine dioxide) and Non- oxidizing
-Manual Removal (pigging, high pressure wash)
-Dewatering/Desiccation (freezing, heated air)
-Thermal (steam injection, hot water 32oC)
-Coatings: Toxic (copper, zinc) and Non-toxic (silicone-based)
-Toxic Constructed Piping (copper, brass, galvanized metals)
-Biological (predators, parasites, diseases)
DNR has a great list of controlling
Zebra Mussels once they invade.
lay over one million eggs in a spawning season.
withstand short periods (several days) out of the water if
conditions are moist and humid.
-They have a
saltwater relative, the dark false mussel (Mytilopsis
leucophaeata), which is native to the Atlantic coast. This
relative looks very much like the zebra
mussel and is often mistaken for it.
-Zebra Mussels could
possibly affect our drinking water. They
may promote the growth of a blue-green algae that produces a
toxin harmful to people and animals.
-Alternating dark and light stripes on their shells that range in color from brown to black and white to yellow.
-The external shell patterns in relevance to
other related species can be viewed on
-The Zebra Mussel's reproductive system is unique to freshwater
mussels. The different stages of the Zebra Mussels life cycle
can be viewed on the
-They require well oxygenated water with high levels of
suspended organic material and a reasonably hard substrate in
order to survive.
-Zebra Mussels require calcium in their diet in order to enable shell development.
Curious as to how Zebra Mussels interact with other organisms? View the interactions page to find out!