Based on the provided reference, the blues are fish that are known to eat mussels, particularly as the water warms.
Specific Fish Identified
According to the reference, as the water temperature rises into the upper 40ºF range, certain fish species dramatically shift their diet. Specifically, "the blues become tied to mussel beds and their diet's almost exclusively mussels." This highlights a seasonal dependency where mussels become the primary, near-exclusive food source for these fish.
Insights from Feeding Habits
This intense feeding behavior on mussels can have observable effects. The reference notes that sometimes these fish are "so full of them that it can be difficult to catch a fish," even when using typical bait like shad. This suggests that when mussels are abundant and are a primary food source, these fish may be less interested in other food options. The reference also mentions that "almost every summer there's a mussel die-off," which, while not directly stating why, could potentially impact the food source for fish like "the blues" that heavily rely on them.
In summary, based on the information provided:
- Fish Species: "The blues"
- Primary Food Source: Mussels (especially in warm water)
- Behavioral Insight: Can be difficult to catch when full of mussels.
