Invasive mussels

[Fun King]

This is from the banks of the Ramapo River. They look just like clams, dime size to nickel size. I first noticed a few in 2011, now there seems to be a lot.

[bulletbob]

yikes,, thats not looking good at all.. Tough to see for sure, but they look to be a similar color pattern to an invasive bivalve we have here in NY the Quagga Mussel,,, However, the shape seems a bit wrong.. the picture you posted shows them to look more like tiny hard shell clams than to freshwater mussels as far as shape is concerned.
One thing for certain, they don't look like the large native fresh water mussels I used to see in NJ, and still see regularly here in NY state.. I would have grabbed a few and contacted the NJ DEC.. they probably know what they are.... bob

[Fun King]

[Mark B.]

Corbicula,...…….Asiatic Clam.

Yes, an invasive. They have been all over NJ for quite some time. NJDEP knows about them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbicula_fluminea

[bulletbob]

New one on me.. Have not seen them as yet here in NY, but we have more than our share of nasties from other countries and don't need any new ones.. At least those damn things are good to eat... Hopefully perch sunnies, carp, bullheads etc like them as well... bob

[Mark B.]

NJDF&W Conservation Officers have busted some people for harvesting them from waters that are not approved for human consumption.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

NJDF&W Conservation Officers have busted some people for harvesting them from waters that are not approved for human consumption.

Thx for info, Mark.
Guess they have enough meat in them? Kinda like eating pistachios I guess.

[NJ219bands]

They look like the non-native invasive Asian clams that I found in the Delawre River.