Our Mission: The Mattabeseck Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, is committed to environmental leadership and education for the benefit of the community and the earth's biodiversity.

deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, Connecticut 06457

Common Connecticut River Mussels

Connecticut has lots of mussels in its rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. And the species vary by habitat. Here are some of the mussels found in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. This is not an attempt to "key out" species, rather, it is photos of local mussel shells with identities.

Eastern Pond Mussel

Yellow Lampmussel

Yellow Lampmussel

Tidewater Mucket

 

Eastern Pond Mussel
note the elongated shape
nacre is lilac-colored in fresh shells
Yellow Lampmussel
Found 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010, after a 30 year absence. Note very pale yellow shell color, and "fat" profile.

Tidewater Mucket
Similar in shape, although not as round, as the Yellow Lampmussel. Muckets hve a rough texture at the shoulder. The nacre ranges from warm yellow to orange to mauve.