It differs from other mussel species in that it has dark brown/green shells with green lips around the edges, and has only one adductor muscle.

[5] Around 270 tonnes of wild spat which is attached to beach-cast seaweed are collected from Ninety Mile Beach in northern New Zealand each year to supply the aquaculture industry.

[6] This uncertainty of supply has resulted in major production problems for the industry which must endure periods up to a year without the arrival of any spat.

[8] 'Spatfall' events are also affected by El Niño periods and can result in delays in mussel farm production due to the insufficient seed landing on Ninety Mile Beach.

A 2007 study identified two stressors that reduce the retention of mussels on the rope; desiccation and starvation (both of which are experienced on the journey from where the spat are harvested to where they are farmed).

Typically, individual farms are less than 50 hectares (120 acres) and placed in sheltered waters close to the shore.

With more recent technological developments larger mussel farms can now be constructed further offshore and in more exposed waters.

Observations of the nocturnal mate-finding behaviour of male crabs were made in darkness using infrared video recordings.

[13] However, a 2006 systematic review of scientific research on supplementation with green-lipped mussel found "little consistent and compelling evidence" of any benefit for rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.

[14] However, subsequent placebo-controlled trials have shown that green-lipped mussels do show promise as an alternative therapy for joint issues.

[15][16][17] Another study on canines shows that a diet rich in green-lipped mussels yielded an improvement in pain and functioning in Osteoarthritic Dogs.

A 2011 literature review found weak evidence of anti-inflammatory effects similar to fish oil, but noted that clinical trials to date had been limited.

[19] In 2000, two companies were successfully prosecuted and fined in New Zealand for making medicinal claims about Lyprinol without proof, including that it could act as a cancer cure.