If a Few Golden Mussels Are Introduced Into a Lake — Will They Spread?

If a Few Golden Mussels Are Introduced Into a Lake — Will They Spread?

Short answer → Yes — Almost Always.

Golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) have explosive reproduction potential and a high survival rate in suitable freshwater lakes. If even a small number (like a handful) of adults or larvae (veligers) are introduced into a suitable lake… the odds of them spreading are extremely high.

In Most Warm, Stable Lakes → It’s a Matter of When Not If

Why Are They So Good at Spreading?

1. They Reproduce FAST

• Mature in 3-6 months
• Females produce up to 1 million eggs per year
• Multiple spawning events (especially in warm water)
• Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours
• Free-floating larvae drift for 2-3 weeks → carried by currents

2. The Larvae Float Everywhere

Golden mussel larvae (veligers) are microscopic and drift in the water — spreading through:

• Lake currents
• Wind
• Boat movement
• Water intakes/outflows
• Rain or floods connecting lakes

3. Adults Hitchhike Easily

Adult mussels attach to:

• Boat hulls
• Trailers
• Docks
• Rocks
• Native mussels
• Plants
• Fishing gear

And they can live out of water for:

• 3-7 days in cool/moist conditions
• Up to 2 weeks in high humidity

What Happens After Introduction?

Typical Golden Mussel Invasion Timeline:

Exception — When They Might Not Spread:

Golden mussels won’t establish if:

• Water stays below ~50°F (10°C) most of the year
• Low calcium prevents shell growth
• No hard surfaces to attach
• Strong flowing water (no time to settle)
• Very low oxygen levels
• Desiccation (lake dries up seasonally)

The Golden Mussel Threat = Like Quagga & Zebra Mussels But Worse:

• Faster reproduction
• Survive warmer water
• Stick to almost anything
• Devastate native mussels & fish habitats
• Very costly to control

Can Golden Mussels Be Spread by Birds or Other Animals?

→ Yes — but it’s rare and limited.

Golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) can potentially spread short distances by birds or animals — but this is not their primary method of spread.

Here’s How It Could Happen:

Real-World Observations:

• Golden mussels have been found attached to:
  • Native mussels & clams
  • Snails (Pomacea species)
  • Crabs (Aegla species)
  • Fishing gear left in water
• Some South American studies observed small numbers hitchhiking on mobile animals, but only across very short distances (within the same body of water).

Why It’s Limited:

1. Mussels need hard surfaces to attach securely (shell, rock, dock, boat).
2. Birds preen (clean) their feathers often → removing attached material.
3. Mussel larvae (veligers) are fragile — not built to survive stomach acid or long overland trips.
4. Desiccation kills larvae quickly if exposed to dry air or heat.

Main Spread = Still Humans

95%+ of new lake infestations are caused by:

• Boats
• Trailers
• Kayaks
• Fishing gear
• Water moving between lakes (pipes, bait buckets, live wells)

Animal Spread = Localized Only

→ Animals might spread golden mussels within a connected system (like moving from one part of a river or delta to another), but:

Birds or mammals are extremely unlikely to spread them between isolated lakes or across land.

Bottom Line:

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Mark Lassagne

Source: https://bassanglermag.com/if-a-few-golden-mussels-are-introduced-into-a-lake-will-they-spread/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-a-few-golden-mussels-are-introduced-into-a-lake-will-they-spread

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