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Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)
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| The hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), also known in New England as the quahog, is an important fisheries species.
Courtesy: NOAA Restoration Center |
What
type of habitat does the hard clam prefer?
Hard clams inhabit the subtidal regions of bays and estuaries to approximately
15 meters in depth. They are generally found in mud flats and firm bottom areas
consisting of sand or shell fragments. They can tolerate a wide range of salinities
and live in brackish to saltwater conditions.
Where can it be found in the coastal U.S.?
Hard clams are distributed along the eastern and Gulf coasts of the U.S., ranging
from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Florida and into Texas.
What does the hard clam look like?
These shellfish range in size from 1 to 4 inches wide, and vary in color from
white to gray with dark rings. They move through the mud using a muscular
foot and have two short siphons used for filtering water in and out of the
shell.
Why is it an important benthic species?
Hard clams are extremely efficient filter feeders, and large hard clams can
filter about a gallon of water per hour. As a result, they benefit water
quality in coastal estuaries. Hard clams are also an important fisheries
species.
Did you know…?
Because they are such efficient filter feeders, hard clams can absorb pollutants,
bacteria, and viruses in polluted waters. This can make hard clam beds unsafe
for human consumption and can lead to fishery closures in polluted areas.
Where can I find more information?
References
Eversole, A.G. 1987. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental
Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (mid-Atlantic): Hard Clam." U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 82(11.75). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
TR EL-82-4.
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