Freshwater Mussels?

[KMC]

I figured people my enjoy a quick tutorial on the only 2 bivalves that I don't study and that might be confused with the native freshwater mussels I do study. The first is the Asian clam (link below). It rarely grows larger than 1 inch (rarely up to 1.5 inches) and does not have the tell-tale pearly inside like our many native mussels. The second I do not study is the zebra mussel. This clam rarely reaches a inch in size and hasn't spread across America as far and wide as the previous invasive species from Asia (thank god!). Where its found, its a huge nuisance. Pretty much, if you find a mussel that is larger than a inch and pearly inside, its definitely a native mussel.

Here is examples of the Asian Clam:
http://www.europe-aliens.org/images/..._Corbicula.jpg

http://www.malacsoc.org.uk/The_Malac...a_fluminea.jpg


Here is zebra mussels:

http://www.fishingireland.net/enviro...bramussels.jpg

Here is a really nice pile of our nativemussels:

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/no...protect_20.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/guyot/im...dt_mussels.jpg

[kygorski]

did you ever hear of this? There is agrave yard near nolin lake, where the folks used to cover the grave sites with mussel shells, My friend didn't know the origin, any answers?

[KMC]

did you ever hear of this? There is agrave yard near nolin lake, where the folks used to cover the grave sites with mussel shells, My friend didn't know the origin, any answers?

I have to say, that is a new one to me. How old is the grave? And do you know the culture of those burried? That could be connected. Or perhaps it was a regional tradition. Very interesting.

[Stevens]

i dont know if you'd know this, but you sound like the right guy to ask. why is that fish congregate around mussel beds. especially on ky lake, it seems like the fish are just drawn to them.

[colonelmeyer]

Some fish can eat them right?

[kygorski]

Well my friend has about 15% cherokey or how ever you spell it, but I cant say if that has any bearing on it.

[KMC]

i dont know if you'd know this, but you sound like the right guy to ask. why is that fish congregate around mussel beds. especially on ky lake, it seems like the fish are just drawn to them.

It is true that some fish do feed on Native mussels. Catfish in particular have a mussel eating reputation. In fact, some people have used mussels for catfishing bait. Another reason fish would congregate around mussel beds is that extremely productive aquatic areas will usually have a host of different species. In other words, aquatic species are often drawn to where the action is. Mussels will often live around plants and algae to keep hidden and this is a place where other aquatic creatures also hide and stir up sediment for the mussels to filter. Of course, fish will be drawn to the plants and algae as well for shelter, food, or to hopefully find a meal from the hiding creatures.
-Take care, Kevin

[Big T @ E.C.]

Your correct, the cemetary is off dickie's mill road, in edmonson co. I think the church is named hill grove i think. I'm 51, and they have been covering the graves with mussell shells as long as i can remember...tr