Black-striped false mussel

Marine species not currently found in Australia.

Black striped false mussel (Mytilopsis sallei) grows quickly and competes with native species for food and space. It can affect the productivity of commercial fisheries and aquaculture. This mussel is listed as an Australian Priority Marine Pest.

Declared noxious under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. Noxious species are a severe threat to the natural environment and industries. They cannot be held or traded in South Australia without specific authorisation and must not be returned to the water if caught.

What to look for:

• unequal sized shells (one side overlaps the other)
• smooth, small and easily crushed
• forms dense clusters
• sometimes zig-zagged or striped
• up to 2.5 cm long.