REPRODUCTION

Mussel sexes are separate.  In the spring eggs and sperm are released into the water.  The fertilized eggs develop into swimming larvae called veligers (veil bearing) in about 2 days.  In another day the foot begin to appear.  They are now called pedi-veligers.  Does it make sense if you think about what a pedestrian is?

Late larva

Drawings after Field I. A. 1921 Bull. Bureau Fish. 38:127-259

Veliger

They are estimated to take about 5 to 7 weeks before the larvae settle down to the bottom--looking like miniature adults.  At this stage the shell is transparent.  You can directly see the gills moving food, the pumping heart, and the contracting muscles.