Smooth clam

Smooth Clam (Callista chione) is a species of bivalve mollusk belonging to the family Veneridae. It is also commonly known as the European Smooth Clam or Red Clam. This species is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, where it inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms at depths of 5 to 30 meters.

Description

The Smooth Clam has a rounded, oval shell that can reach a size of 10 cm. The shell is smooth and shiny, with a color that varies from white to yellowish, often with reddish or brownish hues. The interior of the shell is white, often with a pink or purple hue near the hinge.

Habitat and Distribution

The Smooth Clam is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the British Isles to Senegal, including the Canary Islands and the Azores. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms, at depths of 5 to 30 meters.

Diet

The Smooth Clam is a filter feeder, extracting plankton and other small organisms from the water column.

Human Use

The Smooth Clam is harvested for food in many parts of its range. It is often used in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Italy and Spain, where it is used in dishes such as paella and spaghetti alle vongole.

Conservation Status

The Smooth Clam is not currently considered threatened or endangered. However, overfishing and habitat degradation pose potential threats to its populations.

See Also

• Clam
• Veneridae
• Mediterranean Sea
• Atlantic Ocean