Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758
Blue mussel
Mytilus edulis
photo by Scott, Sue

Family:  Mytilidae (sea mussels)
Max. size:  11 cm SHL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 24 years
Environment:  benthic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Circumpolar.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Minimum depth (intertidal zone) from Ref. 95344. Inhabits intertidal areas (Ref. 2789). Found in quiet, sheltered areas forming dense aggregates on hard surfaces; attached by strong byssal threads (Ref. 95344). In the Vainameri, north-eastern Baltic Sea, most abundant in silty substrate (Ref. 95753). It is infaunal on sand and eelgrass beds and epifaunal on eelgrass beds (Ref. 95819). Also found on mixed sediments with gravel (Ref. 118257). Semi-mobile suspension feeder (Refs. 95752, 96470). Feeds on phytoplankton such as green algae, dinoflagellates and diatoms (Ref. 95805).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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