{"product_id":"swan-mussels-uk","title":"Swan Mussels – Native Pond Filter Feeders for Wildlife Ponds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSwan Mussels (\u003cem\u003eAnodonta cygnea\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fantastic native species that helps improve water clarity by naturally filtering suspended particles from your pond. Swan Mussels are particularly beneficial in wildlife ponds and larger ornamental ponds, where they quietly filter water and feed on naturally occurring microscopic organisms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are an excellent addition throughout the year, although during the colder months they will naturally become less active. Please allow them time to settle into their new environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Swan Mussels are supplied at approximately \u003cstrong\u003e5-6 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e in length and are suitable for ponds, lakes and very large aquariums. We recommend \u003cstrong\u003e2 mussels per cubic metre of water\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMussel Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen your Swan Mussels arrive, inspect the bag to ensure they have travelled well and that the shells are intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFloat the unopened bag in your pond for approximately \u003cstrong\u003e30–60 minutes\u003c\/strong\u003e to allow the water temperature to equalise. After this, gradually add small amounts of pond water to the bag before gently placing the mussels onto the pond bed, preferably in a sheltered area out of direct sunlight. They will naturally position themselves and may partially bury into the substrate over the following few days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is perfectly normal for Swan Mussels to remain tightly closed after transport. A mussel with closed shells is alive and simply recovering from the journey. Please allow at least 24–48 hours, and sometimes a little longer, before assuming there is a problem.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe clearest indication that a Swan Mussel has died is when the shell remains wide open and does not close when gently disturbed. Healthy mussels will keep their shells firmly closed until they have recovered and feel secure in their new environment.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwan Mussels are filter feeders and do not require supplementary feeding in a well-established pond. They naturally feed by drawing water through their incurrent siphon, filtering plankton, microscopic algae and organic debris before expelling cleaned water through their excurrent siphon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasionally you may see a muscular \"foot\" extending from the shell. This is perfectly normal and is used by the mussel to move and bury itself within the pond substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swan Mussels are sensitive to many aquatic medications, particularly treatments containing \u003cstrong\u003ecopper\u003c\/strong\u003e, and these should not be used in ponds containing mussels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePreferred Water Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.6–8.1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–25°C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for ponds, lakes and large cold-water aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePackaging, Delivery \u0026amp; Live Arrival Guarantee\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo minimise transit time, live livestock is normally dispatched \u003cstrong\u003eMonday to Thursday\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Swan Mussels are professionally packed in \u003cstrong\u003efish-safe bags containing fresh water and oxygen\u003c\/strong\u003e, before being placed inside a sturdy cardboard box for maximum protection during transit. Unlike many suppliers, we \u003cstrong\u003edo not ship mussels wrapped in damp paper towels\u003c\/strong\u003e, helping to reduce stress and maintain excellent water quality throughout their journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll live livestock is shipped using \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Mail Tracked 24 Small Parcel\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is normally a next working day service; however, delivery times cannot be guaranteed and occasional delays within the Royal Mail network are outside our control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHot Weather Policy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo protect the welfare of our livestock, \u003cstrong\u003eorders will be held whenever forecast temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C\u003c\/strong\u003e during transit. Orders will be dispatched as soon as temperatures return to a safe level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLive Arrival Guarantee\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe proudly offer a \u003cstrong\u003eLive Arrival Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e on all live livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo qualify for this guarantee:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe parcel must be received on the \u003cstrong\u003efirst delivery attempt\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSomeone must be available to accept delivery. If the parcel is left unattended, left in a safe place, with a neighbour, or is not opened promptly after delivery, our Live Arrival Guarantee is void.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMussels must be given \u003cstrong\u003eat least 24–48 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e to recover before they are considered to have a problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny issues must be reported within \u003cstrong\u003e48 hours of delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhotographs of the unopened bag, packaging and livestock must be provided before opening wherever possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce your mussels have been introduced into your pond, responsibility for their ongoing health passes to the customer. We cannot accept responsibility for losses resulting from water quality, oxygen levels, pond conditions, medications, predators, incorrect acclimatisation or any other factors outside our control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease ensure you have researched the requirements of Swan Mussels before purchasing to ensure your pond provides suitable conditions for their long-term health.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UK AQUATIC AND GARDEN SUPPLIES","offers":[{"title":"2 x Swan Mussels","offer_id":45033543106864,"sku":"LSW2","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 x Swan Mussels","offer_id":45033543139632,"sku":"LSW3","price":20.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 x Swan Mussels","offer_id":45033543172400,"sku":"LSW5","price":30.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 x Swan Mussels","offer_id":45033543205168,"sku":"LSW10","price":58.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/5022\/8784\/files\/s-l1600_3_70d01015-446f-477a-8a96-77f8f33ec5c4.jpg?v=1682885785","url":"https:\/\/ukaquaticgardensupplies.co.uk\/products\/swan-mussels-uk","provider":"UK AQUATIC GARDEN SUPPLIES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}