Cross-barred Venus Clam
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Venerida, Family: Veneridae, Genus: Chione, Species: Chione cancellata · Veneridae (Venus Clam family) · Bivalve, whole single valve, fan/rounded shape
Species
Chione cancellata
Shell Type
Bivalve, whole single valve, fan/rounded shape
Family
Veneridae (Venus Clam family)
Size
Approximately 1 inch in length, which is average for this species. Adults typically range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Base color is creamy white to off-white, featuring distinct reddish-brown to brownish spots forming broken radial rays across the prominent, raised concentric ridges.
Rarity
Common
Habitat
Shallow subtidal and intertidal zones, typically found buried in sandy or muddy bottoms, often near seagrass beds in marine environments.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic from North Carolina through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and down to Brazil.
Description
A sturdy, compact bivalve shell with deeply sculpted, highly prominent concentric ribs crossed by fine radial striae, creating a distinct grid-like or cancellate texture. The margin is finely crenulated.
Key Features
Distinguished by its heavy, robust shell with very prominent, evenly spaced concentric ridges that intersect with radial ribs, creating a grid pattern, and characteristic brownish blotches arranged in rays.
Collector Value
Inexpensive and widely accessible, making it a staple addition to beginner shell collections, typically valued at under a dollar to a few dollars per specimen.
Condition Notes
Good condition single valve, exhibiting natural coloration with minimal wear, intact concentric ridges, and a well-preserved margin.
Interesting Facts
Venus clams are suspension feeders, filtering microscopic phytoplankton from the water column using specialized siphons while buried just beneath the sand surface.
Ecological Role
Serves as an important prey item for various marine predators including carnivorous snails, crabs, and bottom-feeding fish, while contributing to nutrient cycling through filter feeding.
Similar Species
Chione elevata (Florida Cross-barred Venus), which has sharper, more elevated concentric lamellae and is often separated geographically or ecologically.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along high-tide shell lines on sandy Gulf and Atlantic beaches, especially after storms or strong winds that churn up shallow offshore sandbars.