European regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)
EU 27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)

This species is not-native to Europe, where it is widely recorded across the region, and as such there are no threats (except to other species) and no conservation action needed as this is an invasive species which is spreading rapidly, and hence is not considered to be threatened.

The species is considered as Not Applicable for the European Red List as a non-native species.

This species is an introduced species in Europe, where it has been recorded as an invasive alien species throughout the region. Introductions have been recorded in most of Ireland, Great Britain, and continental Europe, with the exception of the northernmost regions. It is thought to have first arrived in Europe in the 1970s in Portugal and France. After these initial introductions, the species spread rapidly across Europe and many other introductions are likely to have occurred from the native range or even from other continents previously invaded (North and South America) (Crespo et al. 2015).

The species is native to eastern Asia In addition to introductions throughout Europe, the species has been introduced in other regions of Asia, North America, South America, Australasia, and Africa (Modesto et al. 2023).

The species continues to spread across Europe, so at a continental scale the number of populations is still increasing. However, at the local scale, abundance and biomass may fluctuate in response to abiotic and biotic factors.

Oligotrophic to eutrophic flowing streams, rivers and lakes on oxygenated muddy to sandy sediments, but also occurs between gravel and cobbles. It may also be found in irrigation and drainage channels. It is tolerant of seasonal drought for weeks, tolerating 2-34°C and salinities up to ~5 psu with short periods of up to 14 psu, but is intolerant of areas with low oxygen levels.

In addition to the sexual lineage, there is also androgenetic reproduction resulting in clonal offspring. In androgenesis, the embryonic nuclear genome is inherited paternally and the maternal nuclear genome is eliminated. The resulting offspring are male clones with nuclear genes from the sperm and mitochondrial genes from the oocyte cytoplasm.

Corbicula fluminea has a short life span of up to five years. The species has a high fecundity, estimated to be between 25,000 and 75,000 larvae (veligers) per individual during its lifetime; however, there is also a high mortality rate during the juvenile and adult life stages (Sousa et al. 2008).

Despite being intolerant of pollution and low oxygen levels in water, this species is recognised as an invasive species that is spreading rapidly. Therefore, it is not currently considered to be threatened.

It is used in ornamental ponds and aquaria, and as angling bait.

No conservation action is required as this invasive species is spreading rapidly and is not considered to be threatened.