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This page "Mussels" is for informational purpose only, products coming soon.
Freshwater bivalve
Mussels are bivalve molluscs. Bivalves are the group of molluscs that
includes clams, mussels, oysters and such, and are related to the molluscan
groups such as snails, slugs, chitons, octopuses and squids. They are protected
by two shells hinged by a tough, elastic membrane. They move about by protruding
a broad, tongue-shaped muscle (the foot) into the sand, then pulling themselves
slowly forward.
Live freshwater mussels live in many types of habitat, ranging from small
ditches and ponds, to lakes, canals, and rivers. As natural filter feeders,
freshwater mussels strain out suspended particles and pollutants from the water
column and help improve water quality. Their filter feeding activity also
cleanses the water by removing bacteria, algae, and organic material. Mussels
can filter up to 10 gallons of water per day, which helps to improve water
quality for other animals in your system. Feeding and breathing is accomplished
by sucking water and micro-organisms in through openings between the shell. The
result of this is extremely clear water as the mussel acts as a living filter.
Freshwater mussels, crayfish and freshwater prawns are among the other
aquatic animals you can raise inside an aquaponics system. They can be very
beneficial for example, mussels are a great filter-feeder meaning they will
effectively clean the water. The Yabby, a freshwater crayfish will do well in
cool/tropical and spacious waters and they breed readily and grow fast. Without
any symbionts to illuminate, of course, mussels do not have any specific
requirements for light, so that is one less thing to worry about when keeping
these animals. It is certainly true that mussels such as these are very hardy
creatures.
Live aquarium plants continuously shed edible plant matter into the water
column. In most cases, feeding a Freshwater Clam naturally occurring edible
material is not enough. It may be necessary to supplement a clam's diet with
very finely ground Calcium enriched pellets or tablets, fish flakes or algae
wafers. Freshwater mussels are equally comfortable in tropical or cold water.
They are not fussy about the type of water they live in, as long as it is oxygen
rich.
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