What do shellfish eat?

Shellfish eat a wide variety of food items depending on their species and habitat. Here are some common food sources for different types of shellfish:

1. Filter Feeders:

- Mussels and Clams: These shellfish are suspension feeders, meaning they filter particles from the water. They feed on phytoplankton (microscopic algae), zooplankton (small animals like copepods), organic particles, and other suspended food particles.

2. Deposit Feeders:

- Cockles: Cockles feed by burrowing into the sediment and consuming organic matter found in the sand or mud. They eat diatoms (a type of algae), microalgae, bacteria, and other organic particles present in the sediment.

3. Grazers and Scrapers:

- Limpets and Chitons: These shellfish use their radula, a rasping tongue-like structure, to scrape algae, diatoms, and biofilm from rocks and other surfaces.

4. Predators and Scavengers:

- Crabs and Lobsters: Crabs and lobsters are omnivores and feed on a wide range of prey. They can consume fish, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, algae, and even carrion (dead animals).

5. Filter-Deposit Feeders:

- Oysters and Scallops: Oysters and scallops combine both filter feeding and deposit feeding. They filter particles from the water, but also ingest sediment containing organic matter.

It's important to note that the diet of shellfish can vary based on their location and environmental conditions. Some shellfish may have specialized feeding habits or diets that differ from the general patterns described above.