Coral-Eating Mussel

Gregariella coralliophaga

Coral-Eating Mussel

A tiny mussel, barely two centimetres long, that bores into dead coral and rock and seals itself inside a snug borehole. It spins a coarse, matted net of byssal threads and has turned up in submarine caves as well as ordinary rock pools.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Bivalvia › Mytilida › Mytilidae › Gregariella

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 420699.

FAQ

How deep does the Coral-Eating Mussel live?
The Coral-Eating Mussel (Gregariella coralliophaga) is typically found at 0–101 m.
How big does the Coral-Eating Mussel get?
The Coral-Eating Mussel grows to about 1.9 cm.