Just a question for those in the know, when a fish (namely a Buffalo spp.) eats a mussel, how does it go about it? By that I mean, does it inhale the entire mussel and then with its pharyngeal (spelling) teeth grind the shell up and eat the mollusk inside? Does it ingest some of the shell? Would shell discard get littered all over the bottom of my aquarium if I were to feed my Buffalo mussels? Just a few questions, because I've never been briefed on this one and I haven't read it anywhere.

Thanks,
Nate

Just a question for those in the know, when a fish (namely a Buffalo spp.) eats a mussel, how does it go about it? By that I mean, does it inhale the entire mussel and then with its pharyngeal (spelling) teeth grind the shell up and eat the mollusk inside? Does it ingest some of the shell? Would shell discard get littered all over the bottom of my aquarium if I were to feed my Buffalo mussels? Just a few questions, because I've never been briefed on this one and I haven't read it anywhere.

Thanks,
Nate

HI Nate,
Back in college I was involved in a student research project on population dynamics of zebra mussels. One of the things we were looking at was what influence fish predation had. In order to determine which species were feeding on them, we shocked fish in our study area, and examined their stomach contents for the presence of zebra mussel shell fragments.
From this experience, I would have to say that it happens pretty much as you described, at least with smaller mussels. They definitely do ingest shell fragments. I'm not sure though if they even bother to try and spit out any of the shell or just break it up and swallow the whole thing. I would think either way you're going to end up with bits of broken shell on the bottom of the aquarium as I doubt the shells get completely digested.

Thank you, I think I'll try feeding my Bigmouth Buffalo mussels. I've been leaning towards it since they haven't taken to a gel/pellet/shrimp diet I've tried to get them on.

Before you go throwing native, wild, mussels think of a couple of things. Many are protected and/or seriously imperiled, so it might not be a good idea to go out and collect them for fish food. Also, I'm sure the chances are slim, but if they reproduce in your tank you may have bazillions of glochidia trying to find a host in your tank, which would end up being your fish.

Try store-bought frozen. Have you tried bloodworms? I've had luck feeding large suckers bloodworms and zooplankton before. It worked with redhorses, but their gill rakers are like long combs. I don't know what Ictiobus gill rakers are like, but if they are long, thin, and close together, try smaller foods.

Don't worry, Nate isn't going to collect wild mussels to feed his fish. He knows the laws and wouldn't want to use endangered mussels for fish food. I'm sure he has a legal source of mussels in mind.

First lets all take a deep breath and step back with the messages of 'don't think of this and that' unless you have a good idea of the person and/or the situation. Nate is likely well enough educated in native freshwater mussels because of his relationship with Brian Z. (smbass), who worked for me for several months surveying freshwater mussels, and Todd C.(farmertodd) who has actively become involved in freshwater mussel ecology and conversation in NW and Ohio in general in the last five or so years. Even possession of their shells is illegal in Ohio and Nate, the avid fisherman, likely knows this regardless of his interest in native aquatic fauna. Second of all, bazillions of glochidia would do no harm to the potential host fish in his aquaria. Honestly, keeping something like mucket or plain pocketbook would be an amazing and forward thinking idea for a Bass Pro fish tank display. The BPS local to me doesn't even have the correct common and/or scientific names on their mounts, let alone on their display tank. Those species of mussel are some of the more common and easily kept species in captivity and use gamefish as hosts. Plain pocketbooks + LMB = lots o' juvie mussels. That would provide quite a unique educational oppurtunity that a majority of the public knows nothing about yet is well aware of BPS and gamefish. If one 8 year old a week were to see a pocketbook lure flapping and a LMB strike that would make me smile.

Nate, yes mussel shells will become littered on the substrate. I have snorkeled/dove many areas where buffalo roam (no pun) along with drum, channel, and blue catfish, and unionids and corbicula fragments are common. I'm sure bulk clams, clam snouts, etc. would provide a sufficient substitute and be readily available from a bait dealer or regional fish monger.

Yes, Nate does know what he is doing in this arena, but I think Rjmtx's message was nicely worded and helps to remind OTHER people of the issue. As easy as it is to accidentally snipe at someone while typing, I would like to thank Rjmtx for wording the post carefully as to not sound warpath-ish.

Sorry to not keep up with this thread, I was in Chicago for my brother's wedding this last weekend.

Before you go throwing native, wild, mussels think of a couple of things. Many are protected and/or seriously imperiled, so it might not be a good idea to go out and collect them for fish food. Also, I'm sure the chances are slim, but if they reproduce in your tank you may have bazillions of glochidia trying to find a host in your tank, which would end up being your fish.

Try store-bought frozen. Have you tried bloodworms? I've had luck feeding large suckers bloodworms and zooplankton before. It worked with redhorses, but their gill rakers are like long combs. I don't know what Ictiobus gill rakers are like, but if they are long, thin, and close together, try smaller foods.

Thanks for the sound advice about collecting mussels. I'm well aware of the laws prohibiting the possession of mussel shells (let alone live mussels) in Ohio. That was out of the question, it's my mistake if I failed to mention that. I'd like to find some kind of commercial source of mussels.

Don't worry, Nate isn't going to collect wild mussels to feed his fish. He knows the laws and wouldn't want to use endangered mussels for fish food. I'm sure he has a legal source of mussels in mind.

Thanks Susan!

First lets all take a deep breath and step back with the messages of 'don't think of this and that' unless you have a good idea of the person and/or the situation. Nate is likely well enough educated in native freshwater mussels because of his relationship with Brian Z. (smbass), who worked for me for several months surveying freshwater mussels, and Todd C.(farmertodd) who has actively become involved in freshwater mussel ecology and conversation in NW and Ohio in general in the last five or so years. Even possession of their shells is illegal in Ohio and Nate, the avid fisherman, likely knows this regardless of his interest in native aquatic fauna. Second of all, bazillions of glochidia would do no harm to the potential host fish in his aquaria. Honestly, keeping something like mucket or plain pocketbook would be an amazing and forward thinking idea for a Bass Pro fish tank display. The BPS local to me doesn't even have the correct common and/or scientific names on their mounts, let alone on their display tank. Those species of mussel are some of the more common and easily kept species in captivity and use gamefish as hosts. Plain pocketbooks + LMB = lots o' juvie mussels. That would provide quite a unique educational oppurtunity that a majority of the public knows nothing about yet is well aware of BPS and gamefish. If one 8 year old a week were to see a pocketbook lure flapping and a LMB strike that would make me smile.

Nate, yes mussel shells will become littered on the substrate. I have snorkeled/dove many areas where buffalo roam (no pun) along with drum, channel, and blue catfish, and unionids and corbicula fragments are common. I'm sure bulk clams, clam snouts, etc. would provide a sufficient substitute and be readily available from a bait dealer or regional fish monger.

I imagine I could just do some extra cleaning to avoid having "mussel clutter" on the bottom of the exhibit. I fed the exhibit krill yesterday and did notice my Bigmouth Buffalo taking interest in that. This is very encouraging. I might just stick with the krill, I'm not sure yet. I'll keep monitoring them. I would love to have the Plain Pocketbook + LMB interaction going on in the exhibit. My number one goal with the aquarium is to educate the public. I've put together an educational binder that sits on a podium next to the exhibit. I get a lot out of watching people read through the binder and come away enlightened. Also, one of the best parts of the job is cleaning the kids fingerprints off the acrylic because you just know they're standing there face to face with the fish and saying, "Wow".

Yes, Nate does know what he is doing in this arena, but I think Rjmtx's message was nicely worded and helps to remind OTHER people of the issue. As easy as it is to accidentally snipe at someone while typing, I would like to thank Rjmtx for wording the post carefully as to not sound warpath-ish.

Good point, hopefully this thread is a reminder to others about checking local laws before getting in the water.

Thanks Susan!

I've put together an educational binder that sits on a podium next to the exhibit. I get a lot out of watching people read through the binder and come away enlightened. Also, one of the best parts of the job is cleaning the kids fingerprints off the acrylic because you just know they're standing there face to face with the fish and saying, "Wow".

You're welcome! I'm going there by myself after school starts so I can visit the fish again and read the whole binder. I flipped through it when I was there, and it looks great!

You're welcome! I'm going there by myself after school starts so I can visit the fish again and read the whole binder. I flipped through it when I was there, and it looks great!

Glad that you liked it. The people at corporate were pretty impressed by it also. I think they'd like me to put something together for other stores!