Zebra Mussels At Taneycomo

[Don]

Just hope we don't get any of these! Brain eaters!

http://www.ksdk.com/news/world/us_world_ar...?storyid=130668

Signed,

Cardiac

According to the symptoms I've probably got a few in my head. However, I've been told they would probably starve to death.

Don

[Project Healing Waters]

Questions are good. But most of the time when there is an invasive or exotic discovered, folks panic. In reality, a LOT of the stuff we consider quite natural and pristine wasn't the way it is now very long ago. Zebra Mussels are "native" to much of Europe and the Pacific Rim. And they haven't destroyed any tourist destinations or municipal water systems over in those places, either.

[Greg]

PHW's postings made me curious about this whole zebra mussel issue. So I did a google search and read several articles. One of the best was in wikipedia. It's just amazing the info you can find on the internet these days. Almost all of the articles I read pointed out both detrimental effects of these mussels as well as some positive effects.

I had always assumed based on articles in the FF magazines that zebra mussels were a kind of doomsday for lakes and rivers they infected. But from the articles I read - it's not always all bad. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure we would prefer to keep them out if possible. And I think we should do everything possible to prevent their spread. The bad things probably outweigh the good. But maybe it won't be as bad as we think if they do indeed spread and completely infest our beloved Taneycomo as well as other MO and Arkansas lakes and rivers.

Check this out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_mussel

Greg

[Quillback]

Here's some other reading material that mentions Zebras in the Great Lakes, in all it seems they are not good for fish populations.

http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/_files/factsheets...0Assessment.pdf

I would mainly be concerned about the impact of Zebras on Shad populations in the large reservoirs being that the Zebras will compete for the same food that shad utilize.

[trout fanatic]

I too, originally hail from the greater Cleveland area (graduated in 66) and manage to make it back in the fall for Steelhead. I have not found a fisherperson who has to live with these critters that likes them (had to come to Missoura for that). Be careful what you wish for

[Greg]

I too, originally hail from the greater Cleveland area (graduated in 66) and manage to make it back in the fall for Steelhead. I have not found a fisherperson who has to live with these critters that likes them (had to come to Missoura for that). Be careful what you wish for

Wishing for them??? Did I or anyone else say that? I don't think so. All I said was that hopefully it won't be as bad as some think. Personally I hope they never gain hold here. My point was that if they do maybe it won't be the Armageddon that some seem to think. But that's me - I've always been of the "glass half full" mentality.

Greg

[hoover25]

Its very unfortunate that Zebra mussels are in Taney.

I used to be biologist that specialized in freshwater mussel research. I have seen them first-hand and have killed thousands (a drop in the bucket). Their biology is unlike any of our native mussels. One female can produce about 1,000,000 eggs per year. Yes, the water in Lake Erie is clearer than before. But think for a minute....the material removed from the water consists of zooplankton and phytoplankton that supply food for larval fish and other invertebrates....thats not a good thing.

I wouldn't worry too much about the trout in upper Taney though.....the hatchery can always make you more fish. I worry more about the lower end of the Lake....and Bull Shoals, and the White River, etc.

For those of you that have not seen these critters, let me give you an informed and highly-opinionated description. They suck! The result is similar to barnacles in a saltwater environment. They are sharp as hell and the bissel threads that hold them to the substrate are stronger than superglue.

I am hopeful that there is some unknown environmental factor that will limit the infestation. For now, its going to be "wait and see."

P.S. If any of you guys are fishing in areas where there are known Zebra infestations, please dry out your stuff (bleach is better) before you visit another body of water.

[brownieman]

Good thoughts hoover,

They actually feed on phyto and zooplankton?...most species after swim up depend on ample amounts of zooplankton as their food source phytoplankton being of little nutritional value.

Considering that, they indeed could be detramental to fry and a few species that rely on them as their food source, spoonbill for one. Plankton blooms can also affect 02 levels...a bad phytobloom can increase 02 levels upwards of 12 ppm or higher and any attempt to correct or kill a phytobloom can end up with a fish kill due to the decaying bloom depleting 02 levels...in smaller settings this can happen very rapidly...don't know how this would relate to larger lakes.

Just found your comments interesting for I have seen little concerning aquaculture that gets much of anything beneficial from phytoplankton unless you like a green nasty discoloration of your pond.

thanks for the info

bm

[trout fanatic]

Greg:

That was jus me playin "Drama Queen". Didn't mean anything personal. The great lakes is a very unique system with its canal ties to the oceans, nearly every invasive species has been discharged into its waters from ocean going ballasts, yet politicians sit on their collective hands because "MONEY" is involved. They are bought and paid for and our resources are paying heavily. Zebra mussels, VHS, sea lamphreys and lord knows what else. Darn it, there I go again. Sorry

[hoover25]

They little turds are also bad news for native critters as well. I have seen native freshwater mussels completely covered with thousands of tiny zebras. I used to have to scrape them off wearing thick leather gloves. They will/can also attach themselves to any slow-moving animal.

http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/biology/a_zm.html

This article is pretty good and has some pics......and it does talk about the not-so-bad things about zebras. I still hate them though.