Species profile
Ocean Quahog
Arctica islandica
Identify Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
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
Jurisdictions with rules for Ocean Quahog
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
Frequently asked questions
What is Ocean Quahog?
Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica) is a bivalve mollusk with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Ocean Quahog?
Ocean Quahog is Arctica islandica.
Is Ocean Quahog regulated for fishing?
Yes — Ocean Quahog has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Ocean Quahog?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Ocean Quahog along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.