CHOLGA MUSSEL

With the scientific name Aulocomya Ater, the Cholga Mussel is a species of bivalve mollusk belonging to the Mytilidae family of South America. It is one of the key ingredients in many traditional Chilean dishes and recipes.

Morphological characteristics of the Cholga Mussel

Reaching a maximum length of 12 cm, the shell is pointed, curved and roughly triangular in shape. Equivalve and inequilateral, the upper edge is curved near the posterior half of the valve, while the lower edge is concave, with a very rounded margin.

The shell displays concentric growth lines and prominent radial ribs, covered by a shiny black periostracum, sometimes with purple or blue hues.

The hinge features a single tooth on the left valve.

The external coloration can appear in the following shades:

• blackish
• bluish black
• bluish
• brown

The interior is pearly. This species is mainly found in:

• The Eastern Pacific and Western Atlantic, from Callao to the Strait of Magellan and southern Brazil, including the Falkland Islands and the Juan Fernández Archipelago.

Cholga Mussel habitat, biology and fishing

Its ideal habitat is at depths of 20–40 meters, on isolated rocks or muddy rocky bottoms. They feed mainly on phyto- and zooplankton, filtering everything they need through their gills.

Spawning takes place between late November and February. The minimum length for reproduction is 65 mm. They can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, which is why they are widely distributed throughout the bays of southern Chile.

How are they fished? Using traditional methods, they are harvested by hand, with the help of hooks.