Chinese pond mussel; Sinanodonta woodiana
A freshwater mussel species native to East Asia, often found in ponds and slow-moving waters.
There are many Chinese pond mussels at the bottom of the pond.
Katakana spelling is common for this species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling; rarely used. 溝 means 'ditch' and 貝 means 'shellfish', reflecting its habitat.
Alternate kanji spelling; very rare. 土負 means 'earth burden'.
The name likely derives from どぶ (ditch) and 貝 (shellfish), referring to its habitat in muddy ditches and ponds.