Tension and intracellular free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) were measured simultaneously in single smooth muscle cells isolated from the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis that were loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2. Electrical stimulation evoked a transient elevation of [Ca2+]i associated with a "catch" contraction. During the catch state, however, [Ca2+]i was effectively at its resting level and was unaffected by 5-hydroxytryptamine, which induced a rapid relaxation from catch. The results indicate that a maintained high [Ca2+]i is not required for the maintenance of catch tension in intact ABRM and that there was no significant change in [Ca2+]i upon abolition of catch.