Biological Category
Aquatic Invertebrate
Species Type
Aquatic Invertebrate
LHPrism Status
Tier 3 - Established
Key Characteristics
Shell
The zebra mussel shell is triangular with a sharply pointed shell hinge edge. The most obvious identifier is the prominent dark and light banding pattern on the shell.
Size
It can grow to 5 cm, but most don't exceed 4 cm.
Vertical Tabs
Impacts of this species
The mussel attaches itself to hard surfaces by byssal threads that emerge from between the valves through a byssal notch. Zebra mussels tend to attach themselves to hard surfaces along their flat edge, which is different from other similar species. Clusters and takes away from native mussels.
