Live Mussels from Grocery Story

[DeepBlueSomething]

I have seen lots of posts about using these as food -- but I am curious could these bivalves from the store survive in a sump / refugium?

More of a curiosity than anything.

 

[Tautog]

Great for food, everything likes mussels
I collect them, freeze them, thaw, opens easy and chop
Don’t try to grow them, they are INVASIVE!!!!!!
I did it once, and then a needed a Tautog, aka Blackfish to eat
If I was to try it again, I would bag them, and hang them in the sump under the incoming water.
Mussels are great filter feeders, and clean the dirtiest, contaminated water.

 

[ThunderGoose]

I've thought similar things, too. I live near the ocean and have thought of getting bivalves from local fishermen but I'd be concerned about them bringing diseases or hitchhikers into the sump. Especially if I had a clam in the tank.

 

[netdawg]

my experiments with them locally (SoCal waters) even after acclimating to the warmer hobby tank have always ended in failure just because of the feeding requirements. Since they filter the water to eat, your nutrients need to be high and the particles they require aren't that easy to keep supplemented in a tank. Again, take it for what this one is worth (local ocean critters and probably specific food sources) but the risk of those big store bought ones would put a pretty hefty load once they start dying off.

 

[Tautog]

I've thought similar things, too. I live near the ocean and have thought of getting bivalves from local fishermen but I'd be concerned about them bringing diseases or hitchhikers into the sump. Especially if I had a clam in the tank.

I’m growing clams, crabs, conchs, blue claw crab, (2) toadfish, and a grouper
In a 60 gal, DSB with 1/2 gravel, and (2) freshwater filter systems. No heat, or skimmer I collect water from the bay for WC’s. 20 gal every 3-4 weeks. I change the filter pads one at a time, but only twice a year.
Local black mussels only live 2 yrs.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Great for food, everything likes mussels
I collect them, freeze them, thaw, opens easy and chop
Don’t try to grow them, they are INVASIVE!!!!!!
I did it once, and then a needed a Tautog, aka Blackfish to eat
If I was to try it again, I would bag them, and hang them in the sump under the incoming water.
Mussels are great filter feeders, and clean the dirtiest, contaminated water.

Old thread but your post caught my attention. Did you get the mussels to reproduce in your tank?