Blue Mussel
ExploreInvertebrate
Blue Mussel
mytilus edulis
The Blue Mussel is a small, shellfish that can be found in oceans and seas. These creatures are great at filtering water and play a big role in keeping their habitats clean!
Habitat: Coastal waters and rocky shorelines.
Appearance
The Blue Mussel has a smooth, wedge-shaped shell, typically dark blue to purplish-black with concentric growth lines. Its interior is often iridescent, shining with mother-of-pearl. This elongated shell distinctly tapers to a pointed end, making it different from rounder clam shells.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderMytilidaFamilyMytilidaeGenusMytilus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single mussel can filter over a gallon of ocean water every hour!
Blue Mussels can grow 'tree rings' on their shells, showing their age year by year!
Blue Mussels can sometimes change their sex from male to female, or vice-versa!
These mussels often live in enormous underwater 'cities' called mussel beds!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Glue Anchor
Blue Mussel can strongly attach to rocks using special byssal threads because of sticky proteins, helping them stay put in crashing waves.
Ability
Living Water Filter
Blue Mussel has powerful gills that help them filter vast amounts of water, capturing tiny food particles to eat and keeping the water clean.
Ability
Tide Pool Survivor
Blue Mussel can seal its shell tightly shut, allowing it to survive exposure to air and changing salt levels during low tide.
Measurements & details
- Average Length
- 5 cm
- Max Length
- 10 cm
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Max Lifespan
- 20 years
Diet & Feeding
Blue Mussels are tiny particle eaters, filtering microscopic food from the water around them.
Primary Foods
- Phytoplankton
- Zooplankton
- Detritus
- Algal spores
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eats
Common Sea Star
Asterias rubens
A major predator, prying open mussel shells.
eats
European Green Crab
Carcinus maenas
Crushes the shells of smaller mussels with strong claws.
eats
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Common Eider
Somateria mollissima
A sea duck that dives to consume mussels whole.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Common MusselMytilusSea Mussel
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Blue Mussel?
5 cm
How long does Blue Mussel live?
5 years
What does Blue Mussel eat?
Blue Mussels are tiny particle eaters, filtering microscopic food from the water around them.
Where is Blue Mussel usually found?
Coastal waters and rocky shorelines.
How does Blue Mussel hunt?
Filter Feeding
Snap Map
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