The mussels are bivalve molluscs found attached to the hard surfaces in the littoral
and sublittoral zones. They attach themselves to the substrate by secreting long threads
called byssus. Though they are considered sedentary, they may move from one area to
another if faced with unfavourable environmental conditions. Mussels are regarded as one of
the best candidates for aquaculture since they are filter feeders feeding at the lowest level in
the food chain (primary consumers); they feed on phytoplankton, detritus and associated
microscopic flora and fauna. The two important species of mussels in India are the Green
mussel Perna viridis(Peacock mussel/MayilpeeliKakka/Kallummekaya) and the Brown
mussel Perna indica (Red chippi). The green mussel has a wider distribution along the west
and east coasts of India, including the Andaman Islands. In contrast, the brown mussel is
restricted to the southwest coast of India. Along the east coast, the green mussel is found in
Chilka Lake, Kakinada, Madras, Pondicherry, Cuddalore and Porto Novo and along the west
coast it forms on extensive beds from Muthalappuzha estuary in Trivandrum, Quilon,
Alleppey, Cochin, Calicut to Kasargod, Mangalore, Karwar, Goa, Bhatia Creek, Malvan and
the Gulf of Kutch (CMFRI, 2000). Now fishery for the green mussel exists in the region from
Kollam to Kasargod and for brown mussel from Quilon to Kanyakumari along the Kerala
Coas
