Although spawning activity ceases when the water temperature drops too low, eggs and sperm remain in the reproductive tissues, signaling that the mollusks are ready to spawn as soon as the environment becomes favorable. Once released, the juveniles are weak-swimming usually found near the bottom of the water column. This is one of the reasons why they readily cause the problems they do, because intake pipes are generally placed near the bottom of the water column also. Humans are responsible for the dispersal of this clam. There have been inadvertent releases by researchers.
Anglers use the clams as live bait, and whole clams sometimes survive.
Aquaria releases into lakes or rivers also contribute to the spread of these clams. Although at least a decade elapsed between the establishment of the Asian clam in the United States and the appearance of its harmful effects, today, this clam is a serious biofouler of raw water intake pipes, affecting power and water suppliers and other industries. Asian clams are drawn into intake pipes, and the live animals, empty shells and body tissues obstruct water flow through condenser tubes, valves and service water systems. Buoyant dead clams can clog intake screens. In 1980, Asian clams clogged the service water system of a nuclear power plant in Arkansas, jeopardizing all fire protection plans.