Brown mussel

Scientific name

Perna perna

Key features

Key features of Brown mussel include:

• dark brown
• smooth shell with evenly spaced grooves
• shell thin at edges and thickens towards narrow end
• straight and long hinge line
• around 9cm long but can be 5-17cm long
• forms dense colonies.

Habitat

The Brown mussel include:

• shores and shallow waters
• often attaches to hard surfaces like buoys, piers, rocks, marinas and port infrastructure but can form colonies on soft surfaces.

Impacts

The Brown mussel include:

• fast-growing, displaces native species
• causes major fouling of wharf pylons, marinas, vessel water intakes, aquaculture etc.
• can accumulate heavy metals and toxins causing shellfish poisoning if eaten.

Known established populations

The Brown mussel is currently not present in Victoria.