![]() The natural habitat range of zebra mussels is limited to the Caspian Sea region. Additionally, they can survive in a wide range of water conditions – from the warm, shallow waters of inland lakes to the colder, deeper waters of the Great Lakes. These mollusks reproduce prolifically, with a single female producing up to one million eggs per year. Zebra mussels have been known to attach themselves to various substrates, including rocks, docks, and pipes. In terms of biology, zebra mussels are filter feeders, meaning they consume phytoplankton and other microscopic organisms that they filter out of the water. They have a triangular, wedge-like shape with two hinged halves that enable them to tightly seal their shells. Zebra mussels are small, freshwater mollusks that possess a distinctive black and white striped shell pattern, hence their name. This process can be very expensive and those costs are passed along to our customers.Conclusion Zebra Mussels Zebra Mussels Description This results in extensive maintenance efforts to continually clean outlet screens and pipelines. In a pipe, a constant flow of water is flowing over the mussels as they filter feed, they rapidly colonize and can significantly decrease the carrying capacity of a pipeline. The outlet structure and piping leaving a reservoir for delivery to the water treatment facility is an ideal location for mussels to colonize and reduce the volume of water a pipe can deliver. Blue-green algae have an air vacuole and can adjust their buoyancy to avoid the mussels and take advantage of the nutrients and can cause extensive blooms that under the right conditions, can become toxigenic. This also results in an extremely clear water column, creating perfect conditions for blue-green algae, cyanobacteria, to proliferate and cause algae blooms. Mussels forage on green algae, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton, creating a lack of food for small fish and other food sources for trout, bass and other sport fish. Mussels are prolific filter feeders and can impact a fishery by creating a gap in the food chain. If the boat transom is not properly cleaned, drained and dried prior to launching on a reservoir, there is potential for contamination.īoth quagga and zebra mussels reproduce and colonize very quickly. If the bilge is not properly drained prior to entering a body of water, the remaining bilge water can contaminate the next reservoir the boat is launched on. Veligers are very small and are able to survive in moist areas like the bilge or transom of a boat for several days. The larval stage of a mussel is called a veliger. The mussels use byssal threads to firmly attach themselves to underwater surfaces including boats, trailers, motor props, float tubes and waders.Īdult mussels can live out of water for up to 7 days, making it critical that watercrafts are cleaned, drained and dried! If boats, trailers, motors, float tubes, waders and other watercraft that come in contact with water are not properly cleaned, drained and dried, there is potential for mussel contamination. These threads are very strong and protrude between the two halves of the shell and look like small tentacles. Many aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including quagga and zebra mussels, have been introduced into Colorado’s reservoirs by boats and trailers that have been exposed to reservoirs or lakes that have tested positive for quagga and/or zebra mussels.Īdult zebra and quagga mussels attach to almost any surface by byssal threads, which are produced by a special organ, the byssal gland.
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