Category: Invertebrate
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Family: Mytilidae
Notes The shell is black to bluish purple, which is often eroded to whitish purple. It has longitudinal ribbing.
More common on southern shores from mid to low intertidal to 3om. Attached to rocks by bysssal threads in moderate to high energy situations. Often found mixed with Blue or Green lipped mussels.
Daily limit of 25 per person.
References NZ Coastal Marine Invertebrates; Vol 1