Freshwater Mussels?

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KMC

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Joined
Dec 27, 2008
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I posted the thread below in the dead of winter and still got a wonderful response. I am still very much studying those mussels and now that it is the middle of summer, I thought it might be a good time to poke the request. I would still hugely appreciate any spent/empty shells people might come across.
Thank you, Kevin

emoPoke


Hello all,
I am a student studying American native freshwater pearly mussels. I am looking for people who come across the little (sometime not so little) buggers when outdoors. I would love anyone who finds the muskrat middens on the side of the rivers/lakes (or how ever they come across the mussels) to box up a bunch of paired fellas big and small and send them my way. I am only looking for dead/spent shells, not live ones. I collect and study and write about all the different species. I'm not concered about big or small, the more different ones the better. Anyone who would be able to help me with my studies by just picking up a bunch of the spent shells you might find while fishing would be a HUGE help in my studies. I would certainly compensate you for your effort and of course pay for shipping too. The only requirements would be that you provide matching paired (not single) valves and that they are not totally broken (they don't have to be absolutely perfect with no chips at all, but the cleaner with their natural "skin" the better). I've been trying to make contacts with people across the country that naturally run into mussels while out fishing or hiking that might be able to just pick up shells they come across without it being a big hassle for them. I can't thank enough anyone who would consider assisting me with this project. You can contact me through this site or directly at [email protected]. Thank You!!!!! And good fishing!!!
-Kevin
 
Kevin,

You have a PM. I can get you some mussels. Is there anyone who would like to go with me to collect some for Kevin? Let me know.
 
For what it's worth... just noticed yesterday that we're experiencing the first mussel "die off" of the year.

Happens every summer... but some summers much more dramatic than others.

But did see several "little white mussel bodies" drifting down the river yesterday.
 
Well if anyone happens to come across some of those unfortunate shells and can send them my way, it would be greatly appreciated! emoSmile

rsimms - 8/16/2009 9:11 AM

For what it's worth... just noticed yesterday that we're experiencing the first mussel "die off" of the year.

Happens every summer... but some summers much more dramatic than others.

But did see several "little white mussel bodies" drifting down the river yesterday.
 
KMC - 8/18/2009 4:20 PM

Well if anyone happens to come across some of those unfortunate shells and can send them my way, it would be greatly appreciated! emoSmile

You never see the shells... they remain deep during die-off. It's only dead innards that float to surface.
 
Very interesting! This is something I would like to do more research on. I don't think such a thing is common in the Northeast. At least, I have yet to see it.
 
KMC - 8/18/2009 4:39 PM

Very interesting! This is something I would like to do more research on. I don't think such a thing is common in the Northeast. At least, I have yet to see it.

I suspect it's a warm water, low oxygen phenomenon.
 
I found a pristine, MONSTER mussle shell while grabbling this year on Chic. I gave it to teh kids...this thing would have been around 3-4 lbs I guess while alive!? I teling you it was outragously huge, never would have though it could be in these waters.
 
Well I do know that some species like the "Washboard" grows to at least 10 inches. I don't often hear people talking about finding species that big these day though. He must have been a very old fella!


SpurHunter - 8/18/2009 4:01 PM

I found a pristine, MONSTER mussle shell while grabbling this year on Chic. I gave it to teh kids...this thing would have been around 3-4 lbs I guess while alive!? I teling you it was outragously huge, never would have though it could be in these waters.
 

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