Zebra mussels can be distinguished from quagga mussels by having a flattened underside that enables them to remain upright when placed on a flat surface.Īdult zebra mussels release eggs into fresh water (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, ponds, and quarries). Gibbs, Utah DWR Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist, pers. Immature quagga mussels were previously found in Sand Hollow (2012) and Deer Creek (2015) Reservoirs but have not been found since (R. The zebra mussel is closely related to the invasive and more competitive quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) which currently The two shells are symmetrical with a straight midventral line, and are black or brown with variable white to yellow zebra-like stripes or zigzag patterns.

Mature zebra mussels are 1 to 1.5 inches in length. In Utah, immature zebra mussels (veligers) were found in Emery County in 2008 in Electric Lake and Red Fleet Reservoirs, but subsequent sampling efforts have yielded no zebra mussels (R. and hundreds of inland lakes in 28 states (Benson et al. Currently, zebra mussels occur in all large navigable rivers in the eastern U.S. The mussels spread to all five Great Lakes and New York’s Hudson River within five years of their arrival. The Great Lakes in 1988 in discharged ballast water from large ships arriving from Europe. In North America, zebra mussels were first identified in The message was that all moss balls should be treated as though they are infested with zebra mussels. Fish and Wildlife Service and Utah DWR urged these stores and aquarium owners to destroy moss balls to mitigate the risk of introduction (see next page).

In early March 2021, it was discovered in moss balls sold at aquarium and pet supply stores in Canada and the U.S. The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a fresh-water mollusk native to Eurasia that disrupts aquatic ecosystems and water infrastructure. Unfortunately, they may be aiding the movement of a destructive invasive.

Moss balls are beloved, velvety algal plants that decorate aquariums. Watch out for Invasive Zebra Mussels on Moss Balls

Moss balls zebra mussels