{"product_id":"freshwater-mussel","title":"Freshwater Mussel","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eBiosecurity Shipping Limitations apply\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShipping Allowed?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 79.3752px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eTasmania\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 128);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 42);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eWestern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 42);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eNorthern Territory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003eAll Other States\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eFreshwater mussels are peaceful filter-feeding freshwater invertebrates that can make an interesting addition to established aquariums and ponds. They spend much of their time buried within the substrate, filtering microscopic food particles and organic matter from the water.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are best suited to mature aquariums with stable water parameters and naturally available food. Unlike many aquarium invertebrates, mussels should not be expected to significantly clean or clarify a tank on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAquarium Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a mature aquarium with stable water parameters, good oxygenation and a soft or sandy substrate that allows the mussel to burrow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreshwater mussels are filter feeders and require microscopic food suspended in the water column. In very clean or heavily filtered aquariums, supplemental feeding with suitable phytoplankton or fine suspended foods may be required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain stable freshwater conditions appropriate for the aquarium's inhabitants. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBehaviour\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and non-aggressive. They commonly bury themselves in the substrate and may occasionally move around the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo freshwater mussels clean aquariums?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey filter particles from the water, but they should not be purchased as a substitute for filtration or aquarium maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo freshwater mussels need sand?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA soft substrate is strongly recommended because they naturally burrow and position themselves within the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do freshwater mussels eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey filter microscopic particles, microorganisms and suspended organic matter from the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan freshwater mussels live with fish?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, generally with peaceful community fish. However, some fish may harass or attempt to eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long do freshwater mussels live?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLifespan varies considerably between species, with some freshwater mussels capable of living for many years under suitable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdding One to a New Aquarium\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew tanks may not contain enough natural suspended food to support a filter-feeding mussel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExpecting It to Filter the Entire Tank\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMussels are biological filter feeders, not a replacement for mechanical or biological filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKeeping It in the Wrong Substrate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery coarse gravel can prevent natural burrowing and make it difficult for the mussel to position itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIgnoring Water Quality\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mussel that becomes inactive, remains open or shows unusual behaviour should be monitored closely, as these can indicate stress or declining health.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49336371085451,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/Muscle-Freshwater_jpg.webp?v=1789012165","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/freshwater-mussel","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}