Zebra Mussels

Exotic Aquatics of the Gulf Coast:
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

Zebra Mussels: Problems & Control
Some of the serious problems these little clams are responsible for include:

plugging up industry water intakes

interfering with navigation and accelerating corrosion by attaching to pilings, docks and buoys

decreasing fuel efficiency and damaging engines by growing on boat hulls and inside intake pipes

weakening or killing native freshwater mussels by interfering with the native mussels' ability to open and close their shell, as well as by competing with them for food

filtering large amounts of phytoplankton from the water, reducing the food available for other filter-feeding organisms and fish.

Zebra mussels can be controlled by:

High temperature or steam

Chlorination

Molluscicides

Scraping

Zebra mussels can be discouraged from attaching or excluded by:

Sand filters

Antifoulants

Copper pipes

Nonstick coatings

Zebra Mussels: An Introduction
Zebra Mussels: A Little-Known Problem in Louisiana
Zebra Mussels: Problems & Control
Zebra Mussels: Online & Printed Resources

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