Black Clam Arctica islandica
Close-up of Black Clam shell
Black Clam on sandy ocean floor
Black Clam shell with ridged pattern
Arctica islandica resting on seabed
Black Clam Arctica islandica
Close-up of Black Clam shell
Black Clam on sandy ocean floor
Black Clam shell with ridged pattern
Arctica islandica resting on seabed

Black Clam (Arctica islandica)

from $95.00
Quantity:

Live Mahogany Clam (Arctica islandica)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Mahogany Clam (Arctica islandica), also known as the Black Clam, is a cold-water bivalve found in the subtidal mud bottoms off the coast of Maine. Recognized by its hard, dark brown to black shell with a lighter white umbo, this species is closely related to the quahog and is known for its impressive longevity—some individuals living for centuries. Sustainably harvested by deepwater dredge, each clam represents a durable and authentic specimen of Maine’s benthic ecosystem. Ideal for marine biology study, classroom display, and shell collections, the Mahogany Clam provides a fascinating look into cold-water molluscan life.

Key Facts:
Common name: Mahogany clam, black clam
Scientific name: Arctica islandica
Locations: Sub-tidal on mud bottoms
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: Brown – black color with white on umbo
Size: 1” – 3”
Collected: By deepwater dredge
Quantity: Sold by the each
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com

Live Mahogany Clam (Arctica islandica)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Mahogany Clam (Arctica islandica), also known as the Black Clam, is a cold-water bivalve found in the subtidal mud bottoms off the coast of Maine. Recognized by its hard, dark brown to black shell with a lighter white umbo, this species is closely related to the quahog and is known for its impressive longevity—some individuals living for centuries. Sustainably harvested by deepwater dredge, each clam represents a durable and authentic specimen of Maine’s benthic ecosystem. Ideal for marine biology study, classroom display, and shell collections, the Mahogany Clam provides a fascinating look into cold-water molluscan life.

Key Facts:
Common name: Mahogany clam, black clam
Scientific name: Arctica islandica
Locations: Sub-tidal on mud bottoms
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: Brown – black color with white on umbo
Size: 1” – 3”
Collected: By deepwater dredge
Quantity: Sold by the each
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com

A sack of black clams.

A sack of black clams.

Tidepool Tim says,  “This is the local version of a quahog - our cold water, hard-shelled clam. The shells are a rich brown or black in color. In Maine, we have a large mahogany clam fishing industry with many boats. Each boat lands thousands of lbs. of these clams each day. They are fished with a heavy steel-toothed dredge that is able to pull these clams up out of the sandy mud bottoms in which they reside.”

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