Thick Shelled River Mussel
Unio crassus
Adults live partly buried in the sandy or gravelly bottoms of clean rivers and streams. They pump water through their bodies and filter out algae, microorganisms, and suspended organic matter for food. When disturbed, they shut their heavy paired shell valves tightly and can burrow deeper with their muscular foot. This species depends on healthy fish populations because its larvae require a fish host to complete development.
- Type
- Shell / Water
- Conservation status
- EN
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Thick Shelled River Mussel