Saxidomus gigantea
Saxidomus gigantea (Deshayes, 1839)
Washington butterclam
Saxidomus gigantea

Family:  Veneridae (venus clams)
Max. size:  13 cm SHL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 26 years
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: from southeast Bering Sea and Prince William Sound, Alaska south to Monterey, California, USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Reported to be toxic in Alaskan communities, due to neurotoxins (saxitoxins, STXs) from ingested microalgae Alexandrium. Removal of all or part of the siphon is being practiced to reduce clam toxicity (Ref. 138447). Buries in substrate to depths of 30 cm along mid- to lower intertidal areas (Ref. 95344).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat
Country info:   
 

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