by
Rebecca Sherratt, Production editor, International Aquafeed
Carpet shells (veneridae) are a family of saltwater clams and marine bivalve molluscs, popular as a food source throughout the world, especially in Spain. The most common and well-known form of carpet shell is the grooved carpet shell, also known as the palourde clam. This particular carpet shell is consumed both fresh and canned and is caught fresh from coastal and lagoonal sites in the Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula and Ireland.
As these molluscs have only continued to increase in popularity, the areas in which they’re farmed has increased, Italy temporarily becoming an additional farming hotspot for the carpet shell. Carpet shells filter feed to gain nutrition and there has been evidence of them growing up to 80mm long.
Using their two siphons, carpet shells digest organic matter and phytoplankton. Carpet shells are most comfortable residing in temperatures of around 11C, in water with a salinity of approximately 35 PPS and a nitrate level of 7 umol/L.
Carpet shells’ primary predators include starfish, shore crabs, various birds and gastropods. These specific molluscs can usually be identified by their distinct anterior. The surface of their shells have fine concentric striae and bolder radiating lines. The lunule and escutcheon are considered to be poorly defined, compared to other molluscs.
Carpet shells can also be identified by their posterior hinges, which are straighter than most clams, and the posterior margin truncate and anterior hinge lines are downwards sloping, leading into the anterior margin.
Carpet shell inner surfaces are usually a glossy white, sometimes also containing orange or yellow tints, and pale bluish tinges along the dorsal edge. Most of their outer shells are cream, yellow or a light brown, some growing darker markings with age.
In terms of habitat, carpet shells reside primarily in lower shores and shallow subtidal areas. They prefer quiet waters, sand, clay and muddy gravel, as is common with molluscs in general. Mating season for carpet shells occurs between April and August, whilst their spawning rates are 60 percent for female and 83 percent for males. Spawning typically occurs between August and September, with a spawning efficiency of 94 percent in females and 86 percent in males.
Read more HERE.
Carpet shells (veneridae) are a family of saltwater clams and marine bivalve molluscs, popular as a food source throughout the world, especially in Spain. The most common and well-known form of carpet shell is the grooved carpet shell, also known as the palourde clam. This particular carpet shell is consumed both fresh and canned and is caught fresh from coastal and lagoonal sites in the Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula and Ireland.
As these molluscs have only continued to increase in popularity, the areas in which they’re farmed has increased, Italy temporarily becoming an additional farming hotspot for the carpet shell. Carpet shells filter feed to gain nutrition and there has been evidence of them growing up to 80mm long.
Using their two siphons, carpet shells digest organic matter and phytoplankton. Carpet shells are most comfortable residing in temperatures of around 11C, in water with a salinity of approximately 35 PPS and a nitrate level of 7 umol/L.
Carpet shells’ primary predators include starfish, shore crabs, various birds and gastropods. These specific molluscs can usually be identified by their distinct anterior. The surface of their shells have fine concentric striae and bolder radiating lines. The lunule and escutcheon are considered to be poorly defined, compared to other molluscs.
Carpet shells can also be identified by their posterior hinges, which are straighter than most clams, and the posterior margin truncate and anterior hinge lines are downwards sloping, leading into the anterior margin.
Carpet shell inner surfaces are usually a glossy white, sometimes also containing orange or yellow tints, and pale bluish tinges along the dorsal edge. Most of their outer shells are cream, yellow or a light brown, some growing darker markings with age.
In terms of habitat, carpet shells reside primarily in lower shores and shallow subtidal areas. They prefer quiet waters, sand, clay and muddy gravel, as is common with molluscs in general. Mating season for carpet shells occurs between April and August, whilst their spawning rates are 60 percent for female and 83 percent for males. Spawning typically occurs between August and September, with a spawning efficiency of 94 percent in females and 86 percent in males.
Read more HERE.
The Aquaculturists
This blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the
magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers Ltd
For additional daily news from aquaculture around the world: aquaculture-news
No comments:
Post a Comment