Asiatic Clam

ORIGIN
Its origin is in eastern Asia and Africa. Exactly when and how is arrived in the United States is unknown.
HABITAT
The Asian clam does well in estuarine habitats and river beds and is found in fresh waters throughout the United States. It has colonized areas of the Delaware and Ohio River basins, and is found in all five Gulf states and northern Mexico. Populations have been reported for the San Francisco Bay, California and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia.
IDENTIFICATION
Adults can reach 50 mm in length. The shell has distinct rings and is a yellow-brown color.
SPREAD
Immature Asian clams are free-floating and difficult to see, two factors that have contributed to their rapid spread across the United States. The clams have a higher tolerance to pollutants than native species, allowing for colonization in areas that would most likely not be inhabited by native species.
IMPACT
Much like the zebra and quagga mussels, the Asian clam is known to clog intake pipes, damage industrial water systems, alter aquatic habitat, and disrupt irrigation canals. There is also concern that Asian clams compete for food with native mussels and clams.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
In open systems such as the Ohio River, careful maintenance of boat and other watercraft should be observed. All watercraft should be washed thoroughly with HOT water. Bait buckets should never be transferred between bodies of water. Control methods are similar to those of zebra and quagga mussels. In closed environments, such as power plants, mechanical or chemical control methods are used to eradicate the species.