[seaslug44]

Okay, either I'm losing my mind, or lately I've discovered something odd inside of our local clams.

It all started about two months ago. I was eating a baked clam at a favorite eatery and I bit into something crunchy that looked like a tiny inflated balloon. It takes more than something odd in my food to gross me out so I kinda ignored it.

A few weeks later I was eating clams on the half shell that were purchased at a fish market in another town when I noticed a worm-like clear tube sticking out of the rear of a clam near the hinge and stomach (the dark waste spot). I squeezed the clam and out it popped. It was over an inch long. Oddly, it did not move. On one end there appeared to be sticky tentacles. The other was curved (you'll see photos in a minute). None of the other clams examined had one.

Last week I was broiling clams casino under the broiler when I noticed that three of them had a tiny balloon inflating near the hinge. They looked just like the one I bit into in the baked clam. As I examined them I realized that they were the mystery tubes puffing-up as they cooked. I through the whole batch in the garbage because at this point I wasn't sure what I was dealing with.

This weekend I had some time to do a little investigating. I bought clams of various sizes from three different fish markets hoping to find these mystery tubes. Two of the stores had clams that were void of them. The third place had one in almost every top neck and and one in half of the little necks and cherry stones.

I am very confused. On one hand, I think it might be a parasite. On the other hand, how could there be only one per clam and never any more??? That leads me to think that it's just a part of a clam that I never noticed before. Below are pictures with explanations.

If you know what this thing is, please share it with us. Also, if you've have access to clams, especially top-necks or chowders, please examine them as you open them to see if you encounter these strange tubes too.

In the posts below are the photos...

 

[seaslug44]

Their location inside the clam

The tip of the shrimp tool points to where the clear tubes protude from each clam's guts;

 

[seaslug44]

When you tilt the clam...

When you tilt the clam, it looks almost like it might be trying to exit on its own...

 

[seaslug44]

Here it comes...

The sticky head with tentacle like fingers is still in the clam...

 

[seaslug44]

A whole sink full of them

Each of these came from one clam each! Notice they look like they have curly tales. Even under a magnifying glass, they do not move and do not look like they have any organs.

 

[seaslug44]

They have very sticky heads

Here's one hanging from a fork by its sticky head.

 

[seaslug44]

So what is it???

 

[613084]

Clams

My wife was shucking out a pail of clams for frying several years back. Near the finish of the pail, she discovered the same thing. Clams I dug here in New Hampshire. She threw them out!! Next day a friend told me that it was part of the clam. I will be following this thread very close,as I really would like to know for sure..Don't look good to me. If they belong there, I just won't look!! Thanks, roger

 

[seaslug44]

I'm hoping too that they are part of a clam (I'll sleep better at night). It just seems strange how they are not attached other than sticking out of the internal organs. In some clams, they appear to be just sitting in the shell on the rim.

Very confusing.

 

[617110]

DoctorFish,

Maybe it is a form of mutualism. Sort of like parasitism except each organisim benifits from the partnership. For example many plants have fungi interwoven with their root system and it helps them uptake water and certain metals from the soil. The fungi on the other hand are supplied with carbohydrates.

Anyway I am not certain about this but it does sound logical. Have you asked any of the fish markets you have bought the clams from. I would hope someone in the wholesale/retail fish market could recognize a malady in their product.

I'd like to find out about this.

somoan

 

[seaslug44]

Somoan,

I was thinking about asking one of the fish markets but I fear that it would be biased (no one will admit if it is a parasite).

The department of health closes the doors first and asks questions later. Also, why ive them the opportunity to cover it up?

 

[Scalawag]

I was planning on fried clams for din din tonight

Was being the operative word.
My guess is a tube worm.
Taste like chicken.

 

[621291]

Worms

Doc,

Here is some info I found.......Don

Parasites and commensals: Rarely, small cysts can be seen imbedded in the siphon of the razor clam. These cysts are one of the intermediate stages in the life cycle of a parasitic nematode (round worm) of the common skate. They evidently do not affect the razor clam. By thorough cleaning and cooking, this parasite can be eliminated. Occasionally, a small pink or white leach-like animal may be found attached to the inside of the siphon. This is a nemertean worm that lives commensally with the razor clam. Commensals are animals or plants that live with other organisms and reap benefit from the activities of the host but cause them no harm. The worm is easily removed and does not in any way make the clam unfit to use as food.

 

[seaslug44]

DonaldW,

Possible, but not likely. These tubes are not in the clam's siphon. They are literally sticking out of their guts.

Scalawag,

I fry whole clams all the time too. That's why I think I would have noticed the balloons these tubes turn into as they puff and harden when cooked.

 

[Leprechaun]

Why don't you take a sample clam with the thing still anchored to the guts to the NYDEC on Belle Meade Road in East Setauket (Left turn off of Rt. 347)?

Nice people there and I'm sure one of the invertebrate marine biologists would be only too willing to have a look.

rgds, Leprechaun

 

[617110]

DoctorFish,

I know your the man, but what is wrong with Donald's idea of commensalism? I assume you do not think it is mutualism either. The fact remains that none of us know what it is...and chances are that it something bad; either for the shellfish population or more importantly us.

I intend on asking a few biologists, but unless I can find an answer fairly quickly I will not be able to do any significant research on it...although I wish I had the extra time.

respectfully,

Donald,

If you are still in this thing I would like some more info on the worm that you said is the parasite of the common skate. I assume that by skate you are referring to the annoying things we catch while fluking. If you can send me or refer me to this life cycle I would appreciate it.

somoan

 

[617110]

DoctorFish,

I sent this disscusion to a fellow I know who is a parasitologist. Maybe he can help us.

somoan

 

[621291]

worms

All,

I went on yahoo and searched on various options for about 20 minutes; what I posted was the only thing that was even close. I agree with Leprechaun; freeze one of these and take it to an expert. Do bad you can not search with a picture vs. a word.

Don

 

[seaslug44]

I kept a batch of the clams alive in my tank. I can't guarantee it, but there is a very high chance that they will have the tubes when opened.

I have many contacts in the marine biology field, but I'm not sure who would know about bivalves.

As much as I respect our DEC, their department is so under-budget and under-staffed that I doubt they have the resources that any of the universities will have.

 

[seaslug44]

Anatomy of a clam

Strange, but I don't see the mystery tubes here. I was hoping that I would.