are clams only found in saltwater?

Question

I only need to know about clams in general, not the different kinds like mollusks and so on. please help!

Answer 1

Yes, there are many species of freshwater clams. Some of these species face threats such as the exotic zebra mussel. This from a site in Rhode Island:

"One threat of the zebra mussel invasion may be loss of some of the biodiversity in our freshwater fauna. The native freshwater clams and mussels of North America show the greatest species diversity of any freshwater bivalve group in the world."

The site also notes that there are almost 200 species of freshwater clams and mussels in North America.

If you'd like to check out the rest of the info on this site:

http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/clams_fs.html

Answer 2

No, there are clams that live outside of water as well. They are called the "bearded clam", and they have a smell and taste of tuna caserole if not thoroughly washed prior to consumption. Bearded clams must be thoroughly scrubbed and washed or one risks getting food poisoning or thick hair fibers during consumption.

Bearded clams are best served raw with some wine.

I guess nobody understands the true message behind my statement.

Answer 3

Clams are quite happy in fresh water. They survive in rock pools in heavy rain and in river water at low tide. Here in NZ, not far from where I live, you can find freshwater mussels that look like salt water ones, but they live in lakes. If you gather shellfish you can store them in a bucket of fresh water for days. It's a good idea to do this so they spit out any sand. In a supermarket the shellfish on sale are kept fresh by spraying them with fresh water.

Answer 4

I'm not sure if they're true clams, but I there's lots of something in fresh water ponds, lakes and streams, and they taste like clams. Even here on the arid high plains.

Answer 5

Most clams live in salt water. But some do live in fresh water. See:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1642

and Google freshwater clam for more info.

Answer 6

Clams are salt water things.

In fresh water, the things that look like clams are called Mussells.

Answer 7

Yes. Clams do well only in saltier waters because they cannot tolerate very much change in salinity.

Answer 8

There are fresh water clams, i have seen them myself, seems they do not grow as big as salt water clams.....

Answer 9

Yes there are, in fact I found a place you can buy some
http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/misc_critters/clam_fresh_water.htm

Answer 10

yes