However, current beliefs suggest that males release sperm in the water and the female collects it via a siphon.

Meaning, larvae will attach themselves to the fins and gills of a host fish and young mussels will fall to the ground where it will settle.

In the larval stage, they exhibit parasitic behaviors by attachment to host fish before going through metamorphosis and fall to the ground.

They inhabit freshwater rivers with slow to medium currents and rest in a sandy or silt floor.

Chipola received a priority number of 11 which means they have a moderate degree of threat and have a low recovery potential.

The stream channels are still not stable and are threatened by degradation or erosion from things such as livestock grazing, road and bridge construction, and off-road vehicle use.

Also, Florida's criteria for ammonia levels are lower than the requirements listed by EPA and is currently protective for mussels.

Zebra mussels and black carp are not found in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, these are considered invasive species and would threaten Chipola slabshells.

Weak links also have not been identified in the life cycle of slabshells and propagation efforts haven't been started.

Given the current knowledge of these seven species, conservationists have calculated the number of individuals and stream miles required for down-listing and delisting.

Reestablishing new subpopulations will necessitate close collaboration and agreement from the state(s) concerned, as well as any stakeholders having a stake in any possible reintroduction sites.

Informing the public about watershed conservation in general, and the importance of mussels in their environment in particular will go a long way toward helping them recover.

The last step is to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan's implementation because there is still so much unknown about this mussel, and it is believed that it will take more than 15 years for recovery to be accomplished.