The Hooked mussel Ischadium recurvum is native to the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and was likely introduced to Western Europe via shipping (ballast water, hull fouling). The first observation in Belgium dates back to 2021, about three years after the initial observation in the Netherlands. To date, its occurrence remains limited to the Waaslandhaven (Port of Antwerp). The species occurs in shallow water in environments with moderate to low wave energy, attached by byssal threads to hard substrates such as rocks, oyster reefs, and concrete quay walls. |
