Freshwater Mussels?

[bassin_bug]

After seeing those pictures, I'm not sure the mussels in Holston River are zebra mussels. These are black with white vertical stripes; maybe they are native to that river. I noted the pictures you posted were tan with brown horizontal stripes and the shape seemed different.

[KMC]

After seeing those pictures, I'm not sure the mussels in Holston River are zebra mussels. These are black with white vertical stripes; maybe they are native to that river. I noted the pictures you posted were tan with brown horizontal stripes and the shape seemed different.

Hopefully they are not zebras. There are a few native mussels that are as small as a quarter (like the lilliput), but they usually grow bigger. I actually kind of curious what bivalve you are referring to? Can you take a digital photo and post it?