Fat Threeridge

Amblema neislerii, the fat threeridge, is a freshwater mussel native to the rivers in southern Georgia and Florida. It belongs to the family Unionidae. It resides in shallow rivers in the muddy and sandy bottom of the river beds. It was named an endangered species in 1998 by state and federal agencies and it is considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The mussel is usually less than four inches in length and also in its width. It possesses a dark brown to black outer shell. Its inner shell is bluish white to purple with an iridescent appearance. The shell is unique to mussels being inflated and also possessing approximately seven to nine prominent parallel ridges.

It is a filter feeder. Food particles become trapped when filtered through and are eventually ingested.