As filter-feeders, they take in water and filter out algae as food, excreting their waste as sediment. A single individual can filter 1 liter of water each day, and a colony covering 1 square meter of substrate can filter 180 million liters of water per year. Enormous colonies of zebra mussels can reduce the algal populations of lakes and rivers, thus removing a significant portion of the base of the food chain and resulting in a decline in the fish populations. Thus, these mussels are a threat to the local biodiversity.
The tremendous filtering capacity of these organisms may have some positive consequences. Zebra mussels have been a major factor in cleaning Lake Erie after a century of pollution from fertilizers and sewage. After the first 10 years of zebra mussel existence in Lake Erie, light penetration in the water has increased from only a few centimeters to nearly 10 meters. If these organisms could be controlled, they may become a useful tool in the treatment of sewage and pollution.
Zebra muscles are an invasive species, meaning they have come over from Another Country and don't belong here. The zebra musscles eat plants that the other native organisms need to survive and begin to overrun waters, clog water systems, and kill native animals, though some, like the diving ducks, will eat the zebra mussels. In short, invasive species upset the natural balance of an ecosystem.
The niche of a zebra mussel is in ballast waters. A niche of a zebra mussel is where the zebra mussel occupies its "habitat".
They eat the plants then when the animal eats it the animal gets sick and will die!
The Zebra Muscles live on the Great Lakes! The more of these muscles that exist, the less Pearly Muscles that are found anywhere.
cool and wet
bum cracks
Zebra mussels have stripes.
It will send zebra mussels into fatal shock
Zebra mussels belong to the family Dreissenidae. These are freshwater bivalve mollusks. Despite their name, zebra mussels are not true mussels.
nothing is good about zebra muccels
Zebra mussels belong to the family Dreissenidae. These are freshwater bivalve mollusks. Despite their name, zebra mussels are not true mussels.
No, they aren't. Zebra mussels are mussels, which is a kind of bivalve mollusk. They call them that because of there pattern on the shell. Some don't have it, but most do.
NO
The answer is not certain but Zebra Mussels have a very high carrying capacity. They can produce millions of offspring per year which is why they are an invasive species. Zebra Mussels also have very little predators.
We can kill them!
nothing
Zebra mussles improve water clarity.
the zebra mussel was introduced in 1988 in a lake in onario.