previous photo | back to thumbnails | next photo

photo © ria tan 2002

Green mussels Perna viridis Green mussels grow lower down the rocks or on other hard surfaces where they are more frequently covered in water. These little ones were growing in a broken float. Mussels can be dangerous to eat at certain times in the year when there is a bloom of microscopic organisms that produce a toxin. The organisms can be so numerous that they stain the water red; hence the phenomenon is called a 'red tide'. The organisms do not kill the mussel but will make us sick if we eat mussels containing them.

webdesign and updates by ria tan