Spisula sachalinensis
species of mollusc
Spisula sachalinensis (Japanese: 姥貝, Ubagai or 北寄貝, Hokkigai; Uilta: Sarukki), the Sakhalin surf clam, is a species of edible saltwater clam in the family Mactridae, the surf clams or trough clams. It is commonly referred to as surf clam or Arctic surf clam, though the latter can also refer to the closely related Mactromeris polynyma (Stimpson's surf clam).
The species is commercially exploited and widely used for sushi in Japan. The species is found in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, and numerous other areas.
Nomenclature
In Japan, the technical name is ubagai ("old woman's clam"). However, in the Hokkaido region, it is called hokkigai ("northern clam"). In the Ainu language, it is called poksey or tutturep.
Description
Arctic surf clams grow to around 10 cm, and can live up to 30 years in shallow waters.
As food
Arctic surf clam is eaten in Japan, usually as sushi or sashimi. The foot of the clam is black when raw, but turns characteristically red when cooked.
“Spisula sachalinensis” enters the record as species of mollusc. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Spisula, sachalinensis and species can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated May 14, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q10902807. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
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