Atlantic razor clam | DE L'EAU À LA BOUCHE

Illustration couleur d'un couteau droit.

The shell of the Atlantic razor clam looks like an old barber’s knife: slightly arched, with a length five to eight times its width.

Two identical valves but asymmetrical.

Its colour ranges from greyish marbled with cream to brown and mauve. The shell is covered with an olive green to brown coating, which crumbles when it dries.

Equipped with two siphons at one end for feeding and breathing.

Powerful foot at the other end. This enables it to bury itself very quickly and also move around.

Name

Atlantic razor clam
Ensis leei

Type

Seafood - molluscs

Other names

Atlantic jack knife clam, american razor clam

Kitchen name

Razor clam

Resource status

Not a cause for concern
Not determined

Consumption season

Fresh from March to December.

SIZE:

Up to 25 cm.

LIFE EXPECTANCY:

Approximately 10 years.

LIFE CYCLE:

Males and females release their reproductive cells at the same time, around June and July, and fertilization takes place in the water. The eggs produce larvae, which become part of the plankton. After a few weeks, depending on the water temperature, the larvae transform into juveniles and move to the bottom. They will reach a size of 10 cm in three or four years.

Coastal zone, at low tide, down to 35 m depth.

Atlantic razor clam live vertically buried in sand or mud, often in colonies called beds. Razor clams bury themselves up to 50 cm below the surface of the seabed. However, they are not completely sedentary. They can even swim and jump.

Photographie d'un couteau droit sur un fond sablonneux et rocheux.

Atlantic razor clams prefer sandy bottoms in which they can bury themselves.
Credit: Richard Larocque, photo taken at Les Méchins, at a depth of 3 m.

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PREYS:

Plankton

PREDATORS:

Seabirds
Marine worms

MACHINES:

Hydraulic dredge.

REGULATIONS:

Specified fishing season
Minimum size of 100 mm
Quotas
Regulated fishing gear

Recreational harvesting is authorized in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands. A daily maximum of 300 razor clams is authorized.

Recreational harvesting? Yes, but only under certain conditions.

Atlantic razor clams can be hand-harvested recreationally. However, molluscs can be toxic. Be sure to find out about harvesting conditions and whether your area is open. This information can be found on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.

Atlantic razor clam is a Smarter seafood–listed species.

BENEFITS:

The Atlantic razor clam is rich in protein, iron and zinc.

LET’S COOK:

Meaty, tender texture. Fine and slightly sweet taste with hints of almond.

Atlantic razor clams are generally sold fresh or canned. They can be baked, fried, steamed or cooked in broth.

OUR CULINARY ADVICE:

Do not overcook. The meat hardens and becomes rubbery when overcooked.

Document détaillant les mesures de précaution quant à la consommation des mollusques. Information sur la conservation, le maniement et la cuisson.

To avoid poisoning, it's important to always follow safe shellfish storage, handling and cooking practices.
Source: DFO

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Detailed alternative text

Document detailing precautionary measures for shellfish consumption.

Bivalve shellfish such as oysters, clams, scallops, mussels and cockles feed on microscopic plankton in the water. Changes in water quality can cause bacteria, biotoxins, or viruses to build up in the shellfish tissue and make those who eat it sick.

Contaminated shellfish do not necessarily smell, taste or look different from uncontaminated shellfish.

Shellfish storing times

Refrigerate shellfish immediately after purchase and during transport
Never refreeze thawed shellfish
Freezer -18 °C (0 °F) or colder
Shucked (out of shell) 3-4 months
Don’t freeze live mussels, clams and oysters
Refrigerator 0-4 °C (32-40 °F)
Shucked (out of shell) 1-2 days
Live mussels and clams 2-3 days
Live oysters 7-10 days

Handling shellfish

Live shellfish are in an open container covered with a damp towel
Shucked shellfish (out of shell) are in a tightly closed container
Raw shellfish and its juices do not touch other foods
Thaw shellfish in the refrigerator and use within 12 hours
Thaw shellfish by immersing in cold water for about an hour in a leak-proof plastic bag
If you cook shellfish immediately, microwave it on ‘defrost’ setting until the shellfish package is softened, but still icy
Do not keep oysters at room temperature longer than 60 minutes
Going on a picnic? Keep shellfish in a cooler
Cooked shellfish should be eaten within 3 days
Alcohol and hot sauce do not kill harmful bacteria

Cooking shellfish

Scrub shells with a stiff brush under drinking water before cooking
Thoroughly cook shellfish to reduce the chances of foodborne illness
Throw away any shellfish that do not open once cooked
Fry – minimum 3 minutes – at 190 °C (375 °F)
Boil – in boiling water – 3 to 5 minutes – more after shells open
Steam – in a single layer – 4 to 9 minutes
Bake – preheated oven – minimum 10 minutes – at 230 °C (450 °F)

If you feel sick, call your doctor!

More information: learn more about shellfish safety at http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/shellfish-mollusques/index-eng.htm

Species

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