A very familiar shellfish, the Common Mussel, Mytilus edulis, is found all around the UK in all types of habitats from up on the shore, sand, harbours, estuaries and where tide and wave action are violent. The picture was taken in an area exposed to the full force of violent storms but the mussels thrive and many other encrusting animals settle on their shells - here several types of sponge, hydroids, anemones and ascidians. The mussels here are gaping and actively filtering the water for suspended organisms.

A very familiar shellfish, the Common Mussel, Mytilus edulis, is found all around the UK in all types of habitats from up on the shore, sand, harbours, estuaries and where tide and wave action are violent. The picture was taken in an area exposed to the full force of violent storms but the mussels thrive and many other encrusting animals settle on their shells - here several types of sponge, hydroids, anemones and ascidians. The mussels here are gaping and actively filtering the water for suspended organisms.