Mussels are in a group of invertebrate animals called mollusks. Freshwater mussels are also referred to as clams, naiads, and unionids. Mussels spend its life anchored in rivers or lake bottom sediments. The vast majority of them are found in streams. Their movement is through either muscular feet or powerful flood currents.
Mussels continuously pump water through their bodies.
This pumping process allows the mussel to filter food from the water. Mussels are long lived species with some living more than 10 years. Others have been recorded as over 100 years old. There are however pollutants that reduce this life expectancy. Freshwater mussels have a high ecological value.