The case of the so called mussels

[Minxnfella]

Hi

Well, I was stoopid, but I bought what I was told were two freshwater mussels last week, and I think they a) may be dead and B) they aren't mussels at all. I do not know what they are to be honest. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I know I buggered up.
Ta very much, got to go cos I'm being tidied!

H

 

[Happy Fish]

a description would be good???

 

[Minxnfella]

They are shells that are this shape 0 ish. One is brown and one seems to be peeling silver, All my fish are dying off apparently (I'm not at home) so my mum has taken them out with orders to go storm the LFS. How do you know if they are dead?

Ta

 

[Pufferpack]

Smell them, if they stink, they're dead.

...I believe that if the shells stay sealed in the water they are dead.

 

[BIANCA]

the problem with clams and mussels is that when they want to breed they release LARGE amounts of sperm into the water which pollutes it very quickly, i think that may be your "silver pee" problem.
if they are indeed dead they will stink just like dead snails do. Also if they are staying closed all the time (even in the middle of the night) i would either think they were dead/dying or maybe a fish is picking on them?
Do note they are filter feeders, and if they do not have enough to feed they will slowly die. It is best to supplement with live brine shrimp babies.

 

[Pufferpack]

...ROTFLMAO...I think Minxnfella said the shell was silver and peeling... oh well whats an "L" between friends, ...but thanks for the info Bianca, I didn't realise that the muscles would release sperm into the water like that. I was thinking about trying to feed some to my puffers...I think I'll pass on that idea now.


still giggling...Don

 

[kevin007]

off topic, but um happy fish has the same avatar as me!