FAMILY:  Soleidae

 

NAME: Spisula solidssma - Surf Clam

Data provided courtesy of Aquaculture/Fisheries Center,  University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - (Dr. Peter Perschbacher)

 

DISTRIBUTION:

Eastern cast of North America from Nova Scotia to South Carolina.

HABITS:

Open ocean below water line, down to 100 feet on sandy bottom. They also burrow actively in sand.

SPAWNING:

In New Jersey spawning takes place in early summer, lesser during early fall.

GROWTH:

They grow to 2 inches within a year.

USES:

Mainly aquaculture (food)

CULTURE:

Growout is conducted in cages, raceways and on land. The crab reaches market size within a year. They feed on plankton (filter feeder).

REFERENCES:

Lambert, J. and P Goudreau. 1995. Stimpson's Surf Clams and Razor Clams on the Quebec Coast. In: Savard, L (ed) 1995. Status Report on Invertebrates in 1994: Crustaceans and Mollusks on the Quebec Coast, Northern Shrimp and Zooplankton in the Estuary and Gulf of St Lawrence. Can Man Rep of Fish and Aquat Sci. 2323: xii + 137 p.

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