Bivalvia |
Mytilida |
Mytilidae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Benthic; brackish; depth range 0 - 100 m (Ref. 356), usually 0 - 20 m. Tropical, preferred 25°C (Ref. 107945); 46°N - 35°S, 20°E - 130°E (Ref. 348)
Indo-Pacific and Western Central Atlantic.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm Max length : 16.5 cm SHL male/unsexed; (Ref. 348); common length : 8.0 cm SHL male/unsexed; (Ref. 348)
Shell elongate, roughly trigonal-ovate in outline, swollen and pointed anteriorly, rounded and compressed posteriorly. Umbones terminal and sharply tapering, rather incurved. Anterior margin reduced. Ventral margin long and often somewhat concave. Outer surface nearly smooth apart from concentric growth marks and faint radial lines. Periostracum rather thick and smooth, adherent. Ligamental ridge finely pitted. Hinge with 1 small tooth in right valve and 2 in the left. Anterior adductor scar absent in adult specimens. Posterior retractor scars large, confluent with the posterior adductor scar. Anterior retractor scar separated, elongate-ovate in shape, situated a short way to posterior end of ligament. Internal margins smooth. Colour: outside of shell whitish under a bright periostracum which is dark brownish green anteriorly and olive-green to bright green posteriorly. Interior an iredescent pale bluish green, with a vivid green margin on periostracum.
The figures from FAO comprise the production of Mytilus viridis from Malaysia and Singapore and also production reported under the name Mytilus smaragdinus from the Philippines and Thailand; they all refer to the same species (Ref. 348). Commonly found byssally attached to various hard objects or substrates in protected bays and estuaries (Ref. 80041). Littoral and sublittoral to a depth of 20 m (Ref. 348). Can thrive even in adverse environments due to its ability to tolerate elevated levels of pollutants and oxygen depletion (Ref. 125512).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
External sexual fertilization. Spawning peaks coincide with monsoon seasons except in the Philippines and Thailand where spawning is year-round (Ref. 80527). Both sexes release gametes in the water column, where developed larvae remain for two weeks before settling in benthic habitat as juveniles. Sexual maturity occurs at 15-30 mm shell length, roughly 2-3 months age.
Poutiers, J.M. 1998 Bivalves. Acephala, Lamellibranchia, Pelecypoda. p. 123-362. In Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem. 1998. FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 1. Seaweeds, corals, bivalves, and gastropods. Rome, FAO. (Ref. 348)
IUCN Red List Status
(Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
Fisheries: highly commercial
FAO - Aquaculture: production; Fisheries: landings, species profile | FishSource | Sea Around Us
Tools
More information
Trophic EcologyFood items (preys)Diet compositionFood consumptionPredators Life cycleReproductionMaturityFecunditySpawningEggsEgg developmentLarvae PhysiologyOxygen consumption
Human RelatedStamps, coins, misc.
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 24.8 - 29.2, mean 28.5 (based on 1030 cells).
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.17-2.37).
Fishing Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
Climate Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (48 of 100).
Nutrients : Calcium = 149 [71, 228] mg/100g; Iron = 8.53 [1.95, 15.11] mg/100g; Protein = 9.88 [8.64, 11.12] %; Omega3 = 0.313 [0.202, 0.423] g/100g; Selenium = 61 [50, 72] μg/100g; VitaminA = 0 μg/100g; Zinc = 2.04 [0.56, 3.51] mg/100g (wet weight); based on
nutrient studies.
