Habitat

They are often found in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, old rivers, canals and slow-moving rivers. They live in areas with organic-rich, silty or sandy-silty substrate.

Diet

The typical feeding depth is 0.5-2 m. Mussels are filter bodies and feed at the same time as breathe. The water flow entering the mantle cavity brings tiny suspended food particles (zooplankton, phytoplankton and detritus). The mussel feeds by introducing the filtered material into its mouth opening via tiny projections (triangular mouth lobes).

Important and interesting facts

These are the largest molluscs in Latvia – the shell length can reach 17 cm. All freshwater mussels in Latvia are characterised by a relatively thin shell, the shell shape is quite variable.

The inner surface of the caps is smooth, the nacre thin, refractile, pale blue.

Life expectancy can reach 20 years under favourable conditions.

Due to their good filtering properties, freshwater mussels contribute to the purification of water bodies.

They have a strong pungent odour and are used by carp fisherman as bait.

Information sources: redzet.eu, latvijasdaba.lv, Wikipedia

Photos: pixabay.com