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Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 7:22 pm
by ofuros
Been finding these lately when exploring headwater creeks in Northern NSW NP's.
Any ideas on what species they are...freshwater clams, oysters ?

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Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 7:48 pm
by north-north-west
Looks like a type of cockle or pipi, but I'm a long ay from being any sort of expert.

Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 8:08 pm
by Giddy_up
Freshwater mussels


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Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 8:12 pm
by 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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Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 8:55 pm
by 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.....

Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 9:10 pm
by GPSGuided

Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 9:34 pm
by ofuros
Good extra info, GPSGuided. Cheers.

Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 9:54 pm
by GPSGuided
So, how did they taste? :)

Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 10:47 pm
by ofuros
They were only small, if I find some larger ones I might give them a try. ;)

Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Wed 04 May, 2016 10:55 pm
by 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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Re: Shellfish detective needed...

PostPosted: Thu 05 May, 2016 3:26 am
by ofuros
No worries Giddy up, not a huge shellfish fan anyway....unless they're done with
worcestershire sauce & bacon, Kilpatrick style. ;)