It attachs itself by the means of byssus white threads, which secures it very firmly in locations where the water movement and the force of the waves would dislodge a less securely fixed animal. It ranks as first choice as food. Most rock pool fish and crabs will eagerly feed upon the nutritious flesh. Pour boiling water over the shells to open them. Scrape out the rich orange flesh and feed whole and in pieces.
Mussels reproduce in spring and afterwards become depleted of flesh.
The small female Pea Crab , Pinnotheres sp. Cemented to the outside are Acorn Barnacles which provide equally attractive food. There are at least 8 species of mussel found in British seas, including the Horse Mussel, or Clabachdubh, Modiolus modiolus . They can be prised open by inserting a knife in between the two halves of the shell, and fed raw to the fish and crabs. They will survive for over one month in aquaria.