Blue Mussel | MoreBeach.com | Mussels, Blue, Mussel, Settle, Atlantic

Blue Mussel

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)

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Shells of the blue mussel are very common along the beach. Strong wave action along the shore usually breaks apart the two halves, but if you are lucky you might find one still intact. The shells are triangular in shape, about 3 inches long and one inch wide. The outside of the shell is smooth and usually a dark purple or blue-black color and the inside is shiny and pearly white in color.

Blue mussels settle on solid substrate such as rocks, pilings or even other mussels, and can live in shallow water and to depths of over 1,000 feet. In the beginning of their lives mussels float in the water column. As they grow, they eventually search for a place to settle. Larval mussels prefer to settle in an area that already has adult blue mussels present. After they have chosen a suitable location, the larvae release a sticky material called byssal threads that attach them to the substrate or other mussels. This desire to settle with other blue mussels creates large beds of mussels that can cover huge areas on rocks or the sea floor.

Sea stars, the American lobster, crabs and some sea birds prey on blue mussels. The Atlantic dogwinkle is also a successful predator of the blue mussel. The Atlantic dogwinkle has a special boring organ that makes a small hole in the shell of the mussel so it can reach the animal inside. However, the blue mussel is not defenseless. When a predator such as the Atlantic dogwinkle is detected, the mussels in the area will attach their byssal threads to it thereby immobilizing it. Blue mussels are a tasty treat for people as well and are often steamed and eaten alone or added to

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