A NSW Government website

Department of Primary Industries

Asian date mussel

Asian date or bag mussel (Musculista senhousia) is a relatively small species of saltwater mussel that grows quickly and can smother seabed life. It can affect the productivity of commercial fisheries and aquaculture.

The Asian date/bag mussel is listed as prohibited matter under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and is considered a major threat to native fauna and the environment. It may not be brought into NSW or released or allowed to escape into any waters in NSW.

Reporting

If you think you have seen an Asian date/bag mussel in NSW, please take several clear, high resolution photos of the mussel. For identification, we need to see the:

  1. Shell colour and markings
  2. Mussel size – please include something for reference (e.g. a coin)

Please send photos to aquatic.biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au, along with details of when and where the mussel was seen. Please note if the mussel was found as a clump of individuals.

Identification

Key featuresThe picture shows the opened up shells of 4 asian date or bag mussels. The shells are light brown in colour with a darker brown zig zag like pattern running across the shells.

  • Smooth fragile shell (crushes easily)
  • Olive green/brown in colour
  • Shell has zigzag markings and iridescent radiating bands
  • Up to 3cm long
  • Often in clumps of many individuals

Known locations

  • Found in Vic, SA, Tas and WA
  • Not known to occur in NSW

Habitat

  • Soft sediment or hard surfaces
  • Occurs just below the low tide level in aggregated clumps

Impacts

  • Fouls man-made structures
  • Forms dense mats competing with natives for food and space

Similar native species

Blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis planulatus)

Blue mussel

Key features:

  • Large fan shaped shell up to 12cm
  • Blue/black colour
  • Usually found in clumps

Habitat:

  • Sheltered and moderately exposed reefs, pylons and pontoons
  • Up to 15m depth

Brachidontes rostratus

Brachidontes rostratus

Key features:

  • Long flat shell up to 4cm
  • Purple colour, regular rounded ribs
  • Usually found in dense clumps

Habitat:

  • Exposed rock platforms

Hairy mussel (Trichomya hirsuta)

Hairy mussel

Key features:

  • Numerous hairs on lower half of shell
  • Up to 6cm

Habitat:

  • Exposed reef up to 15m depth
  • Common intertidally and subtidally

Little black horse mussel (Xenostrobus pulex)

Little black horse mussel

Key features:

  • Small shiny inflated shell up to 2.5cm in length
  • Black colour
  • Forms dense clumps

Habitat:

  • Exposed rocky shores
  • Mid intertidal