Zebra Mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
Zebra mussels are small freshwater bivalves that attach to rocks, docks, pipes, boats, and native mussel shells in lakes and rivers. They filter microscopic algae and suspended particles from the water, often clearing water dramatically while altering food webs. A single adult can produce enormous numbers of free-swimming larvae, helping the species spread quickly through connected waterways and human transport. Their strong byssal threads let them cling tightly in dense clusters where many native mussels cannot compete.
- Type
- Shell
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
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- Zebra Mussel