Freshwater mussels can be combined with other peaceful options such as tropical shrimp. They can also be paired with snails and most social fish, like Corys and Ottocinclus.

Freshwater mussels feed by filtering water and live on a diet of tiny pieces of suspended edible matter in the water column. They essentially act as filters, improving the quality of the water in the aquarium. The source of this suspended food can also come from supplements.