Quagga Mussels www.miseagrant.umich.edu

What are mussels? What is the habitat and history of the The quagga mussel is a close relative of the quagga mussel? mussel. They are considered an aquatic invasive The quagga mussel was first sighted in the species first discovered in the region Great Lakes in September 1989, when one in September of 1989. However, the distinction was found near . Quagga mussels are of the quagga mussel as a separate species did currently found in , , Quagga mussel not happen until 1991. Like zebra mussels, quagga Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake St. Clair, Saginaw mussels were most likely introduced into the Bay, throughout the St. Lawrence River north Great Lakes region from ballast water discharge to Quebec City, and there are also a few inland Offices of transoceanic ships. occurrences in New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Ann Arbor What do quagga mussels look like? University of Michigan (734) 763-1437 While zebra mussels can colonize any hard Quagga mussels are similar in size to zebra East Lansing mussels; the shells of quagga mussels are also object or substrate including hard objects deposited in mud and other soft substrates, Michigan State University rounder and without ridges. They have dark (517) 353-9568 concentric rings on the shell and are pale in quagga mussels are far more versatile. Unlike zebra mussels, quagga mussel can live and thrive Northeast: color near the hinge. In the Great Lakes, quagga (989) 984-1056 mussels are commonly found in waters more than directly on a muddy or sandy bottom and are as prolific as zebra mussels. A single mature female Northwest: 90 feet deep, while zebra mussels are usually (231) 922-4628 mussel can produce more than 1 million eggs in found at depths of 50 feet or shallower. Southeast: a spawning season. (313) 410-9431 Why are quagga mussels a problem? (586) 469-7431 How can you help slow the spread of Southwest: Quagga mussels appear to tolerate a wider quagga mussels? (616) 846-8250 range of extremes in temperature and water Upper Peninsula: depth than the zebra mussel and spawn at colder n Quagga mussel eggs hatch into a larval form, (906) 226-3687 temperatures. Quagga mussels are extraordinary called , which are free-floating, unlike Great Lakes Regional: water filterers, able to remove large amounts of any of the native mollusks found in the Great (734) 741-2287 and suspended particulates from Lakes. Hence, their microscopic larvae can be lakes and streams. This ability decreases food unintentionally transported in the live wells or sources for and bottom-dwelling bilge water of recreational boats, and they organisms such as Diporeia—thereby altering the easily attach to boat hulls and trailers. To delicate balance of the aquatic food web. prevent spreading this invasive mussel, boaters should drain water from boat motors, live wells, Additionally, quagga mussels accumulate bilges, and transom wells and any other areas Michigan Sea Grant College Program Michigan Sea Grant is a cooperative program of contaminants within their tissues. This, in turn, of boats and recreational equipment while on the University of Michigan and Michigan State increases wildlife exposure to contaminants. land before leaving a lake or water body. University. Funding: NOAA-National Sea Grant Quagga mussels clog water structures such College Program with matching funds from the University of Michigan and Michigan State as pipes and screens, which reduces pump- n Quagga mussels cling to vegetation or any University. Michigan State University and the ing capabilities for water treatment and power other object taken from water where they are University of Michigan are equal opportunity/ affirmative action institutions. plants—creating huge problems for industries and present. Take time to clean vegetation from communities burdened with removal and clean-up boats, trailers, and motors, and thoroughly dry costs. Recreational activities and industries are all objects including swimsuits and wet suits also negatively impacted by quagga mussels when before entering uninfested waters. docks, buoys, boats, beaches, and breakwalls are heavily colonized by the species. Source: Florida Integrated Science Center, Pennsylvania Sea Grant 06-707