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Clam, Northern Tuatua

Paphies subtriangulata

Kahitua; Kaitua; Pipi-tairak; Pipi-tairaki; Tairaki; Taiwhatiwhati

Invertebrate

Mollusca

Bivalvia

Mesodesmatidae

Soft Bottom Subtidal
Soft Bottom Subtidal
Sandy/Muddy Shore Intertidal
Sandy/Muddy Shore Intertidal

Feeding:
Filter Feeder
Filter Feeder
Distribution:
New Zealand
New Zealand
Edibility:
Edible
Edible
Size:
Hand Sized
Hand Sized



A strong, roughly symmetrical, shell. The hinge is roughly midway on the shell. Greyish white colour externally with a glossy porcelain white internally. Grows to 80mm shell length.


Sandy shore. Lower mid -intertidal to shallow subtidal, seldom deeper than the spring low water mark. Needs reasonable water movement (eg mouths of estuaries, harbour channels and semi sheltered beaches). Found at or just below the surface in sand. Found in the North Is, Nelson, Marlborough region.


Filter feeder.



Filters small plankton out of the water. A popular edible fishery exists for this species.



Jones, M. B., Marsden, I, D., 2005, Life in the Estuary. Canterbury University Press. NZ Coastal Marine Invertebrates; Vol 1