Zebra Mussel
Invasive mussels displace native species, attach to and cover many surfaces, have sharp shells, and are a nuisance to humans. Although they have some predators, they breed faster than they can be consumed. As filter feeders, they remove particles from the water, affecting the clarity, content, and ultimately the food chain of aquatic ecosystems.
Common Name: Zebra mussel
Scientific Name: Dreissena polymorpha
Native Range: Europe, Asia
Background
Zebra mussels are filter-feeding freshwater bivalve mollusks. Zebra mussels are small, ¼” to 1 ½” long, and D-shaped with light and dark brown stripes. They have byssal threads that allow them to attach to solid surfaces.
Habitat
Zebra mussels inhabit freshwater to depths of 50 feet, attaching to most surfaces including sand, silt, and harder substrates.
NYS Distribution Map
NOTE: If you receive a “sign in” message, click cancel to continue. Confirmed observations of Water chestnut submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. For more information, visit iMapInvasives
Identification
Zebra mussels have a D-shaped shell that has black and white stripes. There are byssal threads on the bottom of the shell.
Impact
Invasive mussels displace native species, attach to and cover many surfaces, have sharp shells, and are a nuisance to humans. Although they have some predators, they breed faster than they can be consumed. As filter feeders, they remove particles from the water, affecting the clarity, content, and ultimately the food chain of aquatic ecosystems.
Prevention and Control
Once established, very little can be done apart from manual removal. In closed human systems such as water treatment plants, chemical, thermal, electrical, and biological controls can be used. The best method is prevention by cleaning boats, bait buckets, and gear.
