Invertebrates
Blue Mussel
Mytilus edulis · also called common mussel
On a wave-swept rock in the North Sea, a dense bed of blue mussels clings on, thousands of dark shells packed together like a living carpet.
Overview
The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is a Not Evaluated bivalve of rocky shores and estuaries on the cooler coasts of the North Atlantic, the North Sea, and the Baltic. Its anchoring threads, dense beds, and filtering power make it one of the most important and most farmed shellfish in the world.
A shellfish that holds the shore
Mussel beds shelter worms, crabs, and young fish, and each mussel filters many litres of water a day, so large beds make the water clearer.
Status
Not Evaluated globally, though widespread and abundant.
Blue Mussel: common questions
How does a mussel stay attached to rocks?
It attaches itself with tough threads, called the byssus, which resist the pull of waves.
What do blue mussels eat?
They draw in water and strain out microscopic algae and other tiny particles.
Why are mussel beds important?
They form thick beds that shelter many other small animals, and help to clear the water of algae and particles.
Where is the blue mussel found?
It lives on rocky shores and in estuaries on the cooler coasts of the North Atlantic, the North Sea, and the Baltic.