Zebra Mussels: Key facts to know about Zebra Mussels an invasive species

Zebra mussels has become one of the invasive species of Mussels especially in New countries it has recently moved to. Below are key facts you should know about Zebra Mussels and why they are very bad.

What are zebra mussels and why should we care about them?

Zebra Mussels was formed from the Ballest water that was discharged by large ship from Europe.

Scientists believe that zebra mussels can cause increases in toxic blue-green algae, including Microcystis, which produces a poison that causes liver damage when ingested by humans and wildlife.

Zebra Mussels can really be bad to humans. For instance eating fish caught in zebra mussel-infested waters could increase human exposure to pollutants. Mussels filter water through their shells to obtain algae, but they also absorb pollutants during the filtering process. People ingest these pollutants when they eat the fish that eat the mussels.

Asking about if Zebra Mussels can hurt? Yes. Zebra mussels have become a water hazard you need to look out for especially if you are a swimmer.

For instance, reports show that Swimmers and skiers are reportedly getting seriously hurt by them. Stitches at this point becomes useful as the gash mussels cause is so deep. Generally it hurts so bad and not something one could pray for.

How long do zebra mussels live out of the water? 7 days

Zebra mussels can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and adults can even survive out of water for about 7 days.

Zebra Mussel Life Cycle –  How fast it can reproduce

Zebra mussels live 2-5 years and can reproduce by their second year. Each year, a mature female zebra mussel may release up to one million eggs, while the male may release more than two hundred million sperm into the water where fertilization takes place.

How many babies do Zebra Mussel have at a particular time?

An adult female zebra mussel can produce 30,000 to 40,000 eggs in each reproductive cycle, and over 1 million each year. Free-swimming microscopic larvae, called veligers, drift in the water for several weeks and then settle onto any hard surface they can find.