The Yellow Sandshell Mussel is an obligate riverine species preferring perennial slow moving current over a wide variety of substrates but avoids areas of shifting sand. Fish hosts include crappie, common shiner, largemouth bass, white bass, tadpole madtom, and white sucker.
Current probable range would include portions of the Caney River, Chikaskia River, Cottonwood River, Elk River, Fall River, Grouse Creek, Little Osage River, Marais des Cygnes River, Neosho River, Paint Creek (Marais des Cygnes basin), Pottawatomie Creek, Spring River, Verdigris River, and Walnut River.