It is also thought that they cause major damage to microscopic plants in the water, and filter out so much of the phytoplankton that native species cannot find enough to eat. Alone, they cannot sustain a bird or fish. Many large fish feed on zebra mussels, as do ducks and some other water birds, although they are not thought to provide a great amount of nutrition to these creatures. Zebra mussels do have many natural predators, so in balanced conditions, they can make up a part of the natural food chain. On the whole, they are considered a pretty big nuisance, and they are spreading quickly, which makes them an issue. You might be wondering if these creatures can serve any other useful purpose, if they aren’t a suitable food source, or if they are just a nuisance. This is unfortunate, because they are a highly invasive species that is spreading across the world, but because of the pollution and the low meat content, zebra mussels aren’t considered good food. While it isn’t the fault of zebra mussels that our water contains these things, the situation does not make the mussels very appetizing, and most experts do not recommend that people eat them because of these things. They are particularly efficient filter feeders, too, which makes them a worse option than many of the other kinds. However, it is not uncommon for other things to be trapped during this process, and they are known to collect up pollutants, toxins, and plenty of things that you would not want to be putting into your mouth. They will digest this, and it serves as food. Usually, they will keep fish feces, tiny organisms, and any organic matter that they can consume. They will then decide what particles they want to eat, and eject the rest. Zebra mussels feed by sucking in water and filtering the particles out of it. Admittedly, humans are to blame for the vast majority of the pollutants and toxins, but most of us still don’t want to be eating these things for dinner. The issue is not with the feeders themselves, but with what might be in the water that they pick up. You might be wondering what issue filter feeders cause. A few diners may enjoy the flavor, but it is not generally popular and you are very unlikely to find zebra mussels sold in stores or restaurants. Some people also claim that zebra mussels taste bad, and this makes them an unpopular food as well. They may still have some inherent problems because they are also filter feeders, but they are considered better food. There are many brands available commercially, and most of these contain more meat and more flavor. It is better to choose other species of mussels to eat if you wish to consume mussels. They are edible, but the USGS does not recommend their consumption by people.Ī lot of animals do eat zebra mussels, including ducks and fish, so they are not poisonous, but they will collect up pollutants from the local water, and this may make them unsuitable for humans to eat, even if these are not detectable in the flesh. If you are keen on trying all kinds of different foods and these take your fancy, you should not suffer any ill effects as a result of consuming them. You technically can eat zebra mussels if you want to, yes. 5 Final Thoughts Can You Eat Zebra Mussels?
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