What are the best conditions for zebra mussels to survive?
Zebra mussels do best in water in the 54-80 degree F temperature range, which is why they are more numerous in shallow Lake Erie than in deeper, colder Lake Superior. They reproduce best in water that rises in temperature gradually, not suddenly, as in more southern waters. They need a calcium level above 28 milligrams per liter, and a pH of 7.4 or higher. Zebra mussels also need a hard surface to attach to, such as rocks, a firm lake bottom, boats an docks or other mussel colonies. A mussel villager must attach to the substrate within three weeks, which it can do only if the water current moves less than six feet per second. All this, combined with the lack of an effective natural predator, makes the Great lakes an excellent breeding ground for zebra mussels. Q: Don’t zebra mussels have any natural predators? A: In some places in Europe, such as the Rhine River and some small lakes, predators keep the numbers in check. Some species of fish, such as the freshwater drum, feed on zebra m
