Species profile
Ocean Quahog
Arctica islandica
At a glance
Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica) is a bivalve mollusk with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 338 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Nova Scotia, Massachusetts, and Maine the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The oldest verified individual, nicknamed 'Ming,' was 507 years old when collected in 2006.
- Scientists determine their age by counting annual growth rings on the shell, exactly like counting tree rings.
- Grows very slowly—a 5-inch shell may represent over 100 years of growth.
- Found across the North Atlantic from Iceland and Norway to the eastern United States.
- Commercially harvested in large volumes and commonly used in clam chowder and seafood products.
Where Ocean Quahog are seen
Background
The ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) is a species of edible clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Arcticidae. This species is native to the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is harvested commercially as a food source. This species is also known by a number of different common names, including Icelandic cyprine, mahogany clam, mahogany quahog, black quahog, and black clam.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Ocean Quahog article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other clams/oysters/mussels on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.