Blue Mussel

The shape of the shell is triangular and elongate with rounded edges. The shell is smooth with a sculpturing of fine concentric growth lines but no radiating ribs. The shells of this species are purple, blue or sometimes brown in color, occasionally with radial stripes. I found a bunch of mussels in the intertidal zone along Long Island sound in CT, but would never dare to eat them because the water is so polluted that it makes your skin tingle and burn if you stand in it.

There is some seaweed attached, probably Ulva lactuca.