Animal Species:Blue mussels
Blue mussels are edible bivalves commonly served in restaurants and sold at local fish shops.
Blue Mussels on Rock
Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
Identification
Blue mussel shells are blue in colour and covered by a black outer layer.
Size range
10 cm
Distribution
Blue mussels are found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. They are also widespread overseas.
Habitat
Blue mussels live in intertidal areas to a depth of 15 m, as well as estuaries, oceans and coastal waters.
They are commonly found in intertidal estuaries and seagrass beds. They are also often seen attached to wharf pylons, using their tough 'byssal threads'.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Some Blue mussels were probably introduced to Australia by ships arriving from Europe. They have been cultivated for hundreds of years overseas and are now grown commercially in Australia.
Life cycle
The life expectancy of Blue mussels can be up to 15 years but adverse environmental conditions such as pollution will reduce their size and life spans.
Classification
- Genus:
- Mytilus
- Family:
- Mytilidae
- Order:
- Mytiloida
- Class:
- Bivalvia
- Phylum:
- Mollusca
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Last Updated:
Tags bivalves, bivalvia, wildlife of sydney, invertebrates, mollusca, identification,