Blue mussel

The blue mussel is a medium-sized saltwater mollusk found in coastal waters. It's a popular seafood and often farmed. Its empty shells wash up on beaches worldwide.

• Blue mussels are part of the Mytilidae family, the only living group of 'true mussels'.
• They filter tiny food particles from the water as they breathe.
• People harvest them both from the wild and through aquaculture operations.