The Atlantic surf clam (Spisula solidissima), also called the bar clam, hen clam, skimmer or simply sea clam, is a very large, edible, saltwater clam or marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mactridae. It is one of the most commonly found species of bivalves in the western Atlantic Ocean. Able to reach sizes between 7.9 and 8.9 inches (20 and 23 cm) in length, Atlantic surf clams are much larger than Spisula solida, which also resides in the eastern Atlantic coastal waters. Atlantic surf clams reproduce in late summer, when the water temperatures peak.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of West Atlantic Surfclam being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Mactromeris polynyma
- Spisula sachalinensis
- Spisula raveneli
- Spisula murchisoni
- Spisula isabelleana
- Tivela stultorum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Class
- Bivalvia
- Order
- Venerida
- Family
- Mactridae
- Genus
- Spisula
- Species
- Spisula solidissima
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