Inland Floater (Glochidia Larvae Shells)

Freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers; larvae are typically found attached to the gills or fins of fish hosts.

Larvae are parasitic and absorb nutrients from the host fish's bodily fluids; adults are filter feeders consuming plankton and organic detritus.

Larvae are released into the water by the mother and must find a specific fish host to attach to. They encyst on the host for several weeks before dropping off as juveniles to live in the sediment.

Adults provide significant ecological benefits by filtering and cleaning water. The larvae pose minimal risk to healthy fish populations but can cause stress in high concentrations in aquaculture.