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12 hours ago
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Joined: Aug 2004
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I have been noticing shells of what I believe is the freshwater pearl mussel, scientific name Margaritifera margaritifera, scattered about the shore of my pond. The culprit is river otters that come up from my stream (about 1000 feet away) and dive for them and sit on the shore and have a feast. I have been reading these mussels are now declining in population.
I have lots of these in the pond or I did before I found lots of shells on the shore. What do they say about my water? Are they, like the bryozoans I have, a sign of good water quality? I doubt the otters will wipe them out as I have seen shells every spring but not as many as this year.
Maybe these are not Margaritifera but an impersonator which I have mis identified but it has me curious as to what populations of invertebrates are common in northern ponds and which populations are good and which populations I should be concerned about.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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The genus Margaritifera is rare in my area but it does have a mother of pearl nacre, the genus Elliptiois common and similarly shaped but the nacre is purple. Last thing I need is an endangered critter in my pond, the DEC will move in and kick me out.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
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Quite likely they are mussels that came in as flukes on fish from whatever source the fish came from. They don't hurt a lot and I don't think they say a lot about water quality.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Around my pond, I have 'mussel-clam' type shells also.
Some are 5-6" long. Not sure what specific species they are.
I'm thinking it's racoons that dig them up and eat them.
I think it is also a sign of clean water.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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You won't find clams or mussels in water that is NOT good quality water. Muskrats also like to eat them.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
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Yep...if you're seeing a lot of open shells in shallow water, I'll bet muskrats are the culprit. Especially if there are concentrations of discarded shells, rather than one or two.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1)
And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1)
Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT?
PB answer: It depends.
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Freshwater mussels of most species indicate good water quality. There are a few species that are tolerant of less than ideal water quality, but even they require decent conditions. River otters, muskrats and coons are all culprits as has been said. Most species of freshwater mussel cannot live in ponds all. Most live in river/stream conditions.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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I thought 'coons were eating mine but a friend set up his critter cam and caught river otters in the act.
River otters are amazing swimmers and they are also known to snatch a fish as well.
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