Mytilopsis sallei is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Dreissenidae. It is commonly known as the black-striped mussel. This species is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, including regions of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It typically inhabits brackish and marine environments, often attaching to hard substrates such as rocks, mangroves, and man-made structures.
The shell of Mytilopsis sallei is characterized by a dark, elongated form with distinctive black longitudinal stripes on a lighter background. Like other dreissenid mussels, it is a filter feeder, drawing in water to extract plankton and organic particles.
Mytilopsis sallei has been reported as a potential invasive species in some regions outside its native range, particularly in estuarine and port environments, where it can compete with native fauna and foul industrial infrastructure. However, its spread and impact are less documented compared to other invasive bivalves such as Dreissena polymorpha (the zebra mussel).
Taxonomically, the species was originally described in the genus Mytilopsis, which includes several estuarine mussel species distinguished from true mussels of the family Mytilidae by morphological and ecological traits.
Accurate information on its full distribution, ecological impact, and population trends remains limited in some regions.