Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Anyone know what the local mussel is, I seem to recall pulling mussels out of Mussel Pool at Whiteman Park as a kid (probably not a mussel to be seen there these days), I am guessing these would have been endemic to the area?

Yeah, Mike, you can learn it all at http://www.musselwatchwa.com/

Wow it seems not much is known about them and they are not doing so well. Maybe we need to set up a deal with the Murdoch guys for people to keep a dozen in their tanks purely for reproduction and redistribution if in fact they are found to reproduce in AP tanks. If they are good water filters it would be a two way benefit.

Mmmm, good idea, but probably hard to pull off. The mussels "spit" their larvae onto the face of specific fish (cobbler and a couple of other small WA natives) and they live on the fish as a parasite for a few months. They then drop off and eventually grow into mussels.

Nice

Might try and get some and put them in with some Western Pygmy's in my classroom system next year and see if they make babies together

yeah, I think I read a paper somewhere that said WPP were another contender for host fish !

When I say they're on there as a parasite, I don't think it does any major damage to the host.

I presume it's a system that evolved to maximise the chances of the larvae ending up in somewhere that was less likely to dry out - dunno !

I am also interested in sticking a few of the mussels in my pond. I speared a call into the WA Fisheries to check on this. Basically, you don't need a licence and as far as I can see, there are no bag limits. Obviously, if the mussels are in a bit of trouble in the wild, it would make sense to take only enough for the tank. Might make a nice day to take the family for a BBQ and let the kids collect a few.

Is this location in Mandurah definitely freshwater mussels and not an estuary tributary (I think that's how it is spelt) with the saltwater variety?

i sense a AP picninc / mussel collection / BBQ coming on

Hea, Keith and Scotty,

Yea the Zebra Mussles are bad news, and everyone want's to stay clear of them........

That still leaves the question of what native American version of mussel, would be good for putting in a sump tank.........?

I feel that mussels would be a very good addition to the ecosystem that we are nurturing in our AP systems

i found this online a while back;

http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/misc_critters/clam_fresh_water.htm

i might get a half dozen in the future, but right now have a few other priorities with the system

Hi RS_

This should give you what you want. Might be able to find it at your public library.

http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/howfrp.html


Happy hunting

I'm in for mussels if some one knows where to get them

I'm low on experience here but wouldnt keeping mussels require a medium like sand or similar for them ?

from what little i read, they will do better in some kind of substrate..

Mussels and yabbies have arrive....have a gander at my system thread for the photo.

Waiting till knockoff to go count and grade them.