Species profile
Eastern Elliptio
Elliptio complanata
Identify Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) is an IUCN Least Concern bivalve mollusk present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 6,751 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- One of the most abundant freshwater mussels in eastern North America.
- A single mussel filters large volumes of water daily, removing algae and bacteria.
- Larvae (glochidia) temporarily parasitize fish gills to complete their development.
- Shell length can reach about 4 inches (10 cm) in large individuals.
- Can live for several decades, making them long-lived relative to most invertebrates.
Where Eastern Elliptio are seen
Background
The eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanata) is a freshwater mussel in the Unionidae family, native to Canada and the United States.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Eastern Elliptio article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other clams/oysters/mussels on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Eastern Elliptio?
Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) is an IUCN Least Concern bivalve mollusk present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
What is the scientific name for Eastern Elliptio?
Eastern Elliptio is Elliptio complanata.
Are there fishing rules for Eastern Elliptio?
Eastern Elliptio does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Eastern Elliptio?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Eastern Elliptio along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.