Blue Mussel

Mytilus edulis
Appearance: The shell surfaces are shiny bluish-black to black, usually measuring two to four inches in length. Blue mussels are a old-water species which are very temperature sensitive, often requiring storage temperatures near 32°F to maintain shelf life. Shells often gape open when left undisturbed and will typically close very slowly when agitated. They are typically sold live.
Typical Range: Routinely harvested from Northeast U.S. coast to Canada .
Public Health Significance: Approved for human consumption if properly handled and labeled or tagged.