Appalachian elktoe siphoning water through its shell

Freshwater mussel on stream bottom, shell partially open
Photo By/Credit
Gary Peeples/USFWS
Date Shot/Created
07/23/2025
Media Usage Rights/License
Public Domain
Image
An Appalachian elktoe mussel siphoning water through its shell, enabling it to filter food from the water column, in the West Fork of the PIgeon River, Haywood County, NC/
Facility
Asheville Ecological Services Field Office
Ecosystem
River/stream
Species
Alasmidonta raveneliana
Subject tags
Freshwater mussels
Rivers and streams