Sinanodonta woodiana, the Chinese pond mussel, is a species of East Asian freshwater
unionid bivalve
mollusk primarily known from the
Amur River, in the
Russian Far East, and China's
Yangtze River. The Chinese pond mussel can grow to 30 cm and attain an age of 12–14 years, and they can reproduce by the end of their first year, while only 3–4 cm in size. This large, freshwater bivalve is a habitat generalist, with a high
silt tolerance. It is established worldwide; like all unionid mussels, it has an obligatory parasitic stage (
glochidium), in which the larva must
encyst on a host fish to complete its development. Host species include invasive, non-native and native fishes. The presence of
S. woodiana can seriously affect local unionid populations.
S. woodiana's great success is attributed to the importation and commercialisation of
Asian carp, its native Asian host, which is now found worldwide, as well.
S. woodiana was introduced in
Tuscany both inadvertently and intentionally, for artificial/imitation
pearl production. The species is also sold in some garden centers as
biofiltration for outdoor ponds and water features. Parasites: •
Aspidogaster conchicola (
Aspidogastrea) ==References==