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Experiments were performed to determine whether hybrid larvae of Mytilus trossulus (Baltic mussel) and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mediterranean mussel) could be produced in a shellfish hatchery environment and whether early development, survival, or growth differences existed between the two species and their reciprocal hybrids at full and reduced salinity. Hybrids of these two species are uncommon in Puget Sound, Washington and on the northern west coast of North America. Broodstock were screened morphologically and positively identified at two nuclear DNA loci using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques. Hybrid larvae were produced in both reciprocal combinations, and were successfully reared through metamorphosis. There was no apparent hybrid vigour because hybrids did not grow consistently larger (or survive better) than the parental crosses …