Farmed/Wild - How do I know?

[piercho]

How can I tell if the clams that I am looking at are farmed or wild? With all this traffic on the boards about "contaminated" clams kicking the bucket after a few days I am more interested than ever in picking a 1st clam that is likely to survive. Sense I expect that this will be my only clam, I'd also like to pick an interesting one.

If I understand right, croceas and maximas are usually from farms, and deresas and squamosas are typically from the wild? Or do I have the wrong impression? A month or so ago there were a lot of nicely colored 4"-5" Vietnam squamosas going around - are those all wild? Are the little (3" and less) croceas and maximas I see almost always from farms?

Any feedback, from clam dealers or other, would be appreciated. I know everyone is busy so TIA for detailed replies.

 

[jim norris]

Howard,
I import clams that are farm raised. I get maximas, squamosas, gigas, hippopus and derasas. As far as telling if they are farmed vs. wild the farmed raised clams shells are always very clean but one can also clean the wild clam shell also. IMO you may not be able to tell.

Jim

www.tanku.net