Southern Quahog Clam(Mercenaria campechiensis)

This heavy-shelled bivalve mollusk is white to grey in color with a semi-smooth shell. They burrow in the mud and filter feed plankton from the water above them.

Quahog clams are found in the coastal marshes and nearshore areas of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

They are collected by people wading and digging in the mud for both food and bait. Young clams are more prized for eating grilled, steamed and raw, while larger ones are chopped up to make chowder. They also make great bait for fish like black drum or redfish.