Glochidia, when released from the female, must come in contact with a passing fish and parasitize its gills, fins or body. After a few days to several weeks, the glochidia drop off the fish host and settle to the river bottom to begin life as juvenile mussels. Mussels may live more than 70 years if conditions are adequate. Management of the Mussel Resource Proper management is one way to enhance and protect the mussel resources of Alabama. Rules and regulations have been devised to manage the resource in Alabama and it is important to follow these guidelines.
Most mussels take several years to become reproductively mature.
Thus, undersized mussels must be returned immediately to the bed or area from which they came. This helps to protect the reproducing individuals and to improve the chance of more juveniles reaching maturity. To see a glochidium, click here or here . To see glochidia on hosts, click here . If you would like to see video, click here .