Close up of the Green Lake, Minnesota (Kandiyohi County) shoreline showing zebra mussels washed up on shore, October 2021
What are zebra mussels and why should we care about them?
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. They have spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes region and into the large rivers of the eastern Mississippi drainage. They have also been found in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.
Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach to--and incapacitate--native mussels. Power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes.
Related
How can the spread of zebra mussels be prevented?
What are snakeheads?
What is an Asian swamp eel and what does it look like?
What are Invasive Carp?
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?

Close up of the Green Lake, Minnesota (Kandiyohi County) shoreline showing zebra mussels washed up on shore, October 2021
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - staff removing zebra mussels from the equipment
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - staff removing zebra mussels from the equipment
During a National Water Quality Network (NWQN) sampling trip in May to the St Lawrence River, Hydrologic Technician Dave Knauer finds a batch of Zebra mussels attached to the boat anchor.
During a National Water Quality Network (NWQN) sampling trip in May to the St Lawrence River, Hydrologic Technician Dave Knauer finds a batch of Zebra mussels attached to the boat anchor.
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small, non-native mussel originally found in Russia. In 1988, this animal was transported to North America in the ballast water of a transatlantic freighter and colonized parts of Lake St. Clair. In less than ten years, zebra mussels spread to all five Great Lakes.
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small, non-native mussel originally found in Russia. In 1988, this animal was transported to North America in the ballast water of a transatlantic freighter and colonized parts of Lake St. Clair. In less than ten years, zebra mussels spread to all five Great Lakes.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra mussels are small, averaging about an inch long. Two inches is approximately the maximum size.
Zebra mussels are small, averaging about an inch long. Two inches is approximately the maximum size.
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) vs Quagga Mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis). The only two dreissenid mussels known to have been introduced into the US. Both the quagga mussel and zebra mussel are prolific breeders possibly contributing to their spread and abundance. The introduction of both dreissenid species into the
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) vs Quagga Mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis). The only two dreissenid mussels known to have been introduced into the US. Both the quagga mussel and zebra mussel are prolific breeders possibly contributing to their spread and abundance. The introduction of both dreissenid species into the
Zebra and Quagga mussels in the United States—Dreissenid mussel research by the U.S. Geological Survey
Invasive species research—Science for prevention, detection, containment, and control
U.S. Geological Survey invasive species research—Improving detection, awareness, decision support, and control
Quagga and zebra mussels: biology, impacts, and control
The National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database
USGS Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas
Procedures for conducting underwater searches for invasive mussels (Dreissena sp.)
Related
How can the spread of zebra mussels be prevented?
What are snakeheads?
What is an Asian swamp eel and what does it look like?
What are Invasive Carp?
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?

Close up of the Green Lake, Minnesota (Kandiyohi County) shoreline showing zebra mussels washed up on shore, October 2021
Close up of the Green Lake, Minnesota (Kandiyohi County) shoreline showing zebra mussels washed up on shore, October 2021
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - staff removing zebra mussels from the equipment
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - staff removing zebra mussels from the equipment
During a National Water Quality Network (NWQN) sampling trip in May to the St Lawrence River, Hydrologic Technician Dave Knauer finds a batch of Zebra mussels attached to the boat anchor.
During a National Water Quality Network (NWQN) sampling trip in May to the St Lawrence River, Hydrologic Technician Dave Knauer finds a batch of Zebra mussels attached to the boat anchor.
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small, non-native mussel originally found in Russia. In 1988, this animal was transported to North America in the ballast water of a transatlantic freighter and colonized parts of Lake St. Clair. In less than ten years, zebra mussels spread to all five Great Lakes.
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small, non-native mussel originally found in Russia. In 1988, this animal was transported to North America in the ballast water of a transatlantic freighter and colonized parts of Lake St. Clair. In less than ten years, zebra mussels spread to all five Great Lakes.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra Mussel, Lake Huron specimens.
Zebra mussels are small, averaging about an inch long. Two inches is approximately the maximum size.
Zebra mussels are small, averaging about an inch long. Two inches is approximately the maximum size.
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) vs Quagga Mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis). The only two dreissenid mussels known to have been introduced into the US. Both the quagga mussel and zebra mussel are prolific breeders possibly contributing to their spread and abundance. The introduction of both dreissenid species into the
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) vs Quagga Mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis). The only two dreissenid mussels known to have been introduced into the US. Both the quagga mussel and zebra mussel are prolific breeders possibly contributing to their spread and abundance. The introduction of both dreissenid species into the