Wedge Shell, Bean Clam, Coquina

Donax spp.

Family Donacidae

• Portuguese: Cadelinha
• Spanish: Coquina, Tellerina
• French: Olive (or Haricot) de mer

REMARKS There are many different species of these little wedge shells. The maximum length is generally under 4 cm. The colours of the shells vary greatly. Even within one species they may be white, yellow, brown or purple.

The species shown above, Donax vittatus (da Costa), belongs to the European side of the Atlantic, but has several close relations on the American side. They are all quite lively little creatures, compared with the general run of bivalves, and have even been described as ‘agile’.