Freshwater mussels are an endangered species of aquatic bivalve mussels. These are famous for producing pearls. Most cultured pearls are produced by the Asian and North American freshwater mussels. The inner side of the mussel shell has a thick and shiny layer which is called nacre, known as the inner mother of the pearl. These are bivalve mussels, which mean that they have a double valve hard shell, and a soft body with reproductive, respiratory, and digestive organs. 

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Freshwater mussels have muscular feet for locomotion and orientation. The average lifespan of a freshwater mussel is around 60 to 70 years, but according to a report, a record of a freshwater mussel living up to 130 years has been recorded once. Its life cycle starts as a tiny larva that is around 0.6 to 0.7 mm long and is ejected into the water. A freshwater mussel can eject up to 1 to 4 million larvae at once. 

Freshwater mussels are like oysters, squids, clams, and snails. If we talk about their habitat, they live in the gravel and sandy bottoms of big rivers and streams. Good Quality water is their number one requirement and other than that, they require stable stream channels and a flowing water body. They are in danger due to water pollution and sedimentation problems. They are herbivores, commonly consuming herbaceous matter.

Herbaceous matter and microorganisms

As mentioned above, freshwater mussels are herbivores. Freshwater mussels mainly eat small plants, plant parts, aquatic plants, wet hay, etc.

Apart from plants, freshwater mussels also like to eat some microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae, etc. 

Organic matter

Freshwater mussels also forage on small organic particles. 

What freshwater mussels don’t eat?

Freshwater mussels can’t eat fishes, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds as they are preyed upon by these creatures.