Shellfish detective needed...

[ofuros]

Been finding these lately when exploring headwater creeks in Northern NSW NP's.
Any ideas on what species they are...freshwater clams, oysters ?

DSCF1135 (Small).JPG (84.66 KiB) Viewed 8232 times

[north-north-west]

Looks like a type of cockle or pipi, but I'm a long ay from being any sort of expert.

[Giddy_up]

Freshwater mussels


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[Giddy_up]

I should add that they look open which probably suggests that they became a meal for a water rat which has an insatiable appetite for them


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[ofuros]

Thanks north north west & Giddy_up....freshwater mussel it is then.
A meal for hungry water rats, well there you go, finding them in small clusters on
the banks of mountains streams had me thinking aboriginal middens/ bush tucker.

Thanks for the prompt replies.....

[GPSGuided]

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/mussels.htm

[ofuros]

Good extra info, GPSGuided. Cheers.

[GPSGuided]

So, how did they taste?

[ofuros]

They were only small, if I find some larger ones I might give them a try.

[Giddy_up]

If you plan on eating them just ensure that they are in a nice clean stream. They are filter feeders and will accumulate any bad toxins in the stream.


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[ofuros]

No worries Giddy up, not a huge shellfish fan anyway....unless they're done with
worcestershire sauce & bacon, Kilpatrick style.