A Newer, Much More Invasive Clam Settles On Staten Island

“Invasive clam species” just sounds terrifying:

An invasive clam species has been discovered near Brook’s Pond in Clove Lakes Park — the first documented spotting of the small Asian shellfish within the five boroughs.

About 40 golden-colored Corbicula fluminea — which eat the same plankton as native clams, small fish and baby turtles, potentially threatening their food supply — were found last month by College of Staten Island biology professor Dr. Albert Burchsted.

Because each clam is capable of breeding up to 400 clams per day when the water is warm, the population could quickly swell into the thousands this summer, he said.

“These clams suck all the nutritive organisms out of the water column,” Burchsted said, adding that it’s only a matter of time before the “explosive” breeders take over the pond — and likely show up in other ponds and lakes on Staten Island.

Burchsted said the clams — which according to the American Museum of Natural History has until now been found in this region only on Long Island, upstate and in the Raritan River in New Jersey — were likely transported here as they stuck to the feet of birds which had been to the bodies of water where the clams breed. They also could have been used as bait by fishermen, who disposed of them in the pond.

Varying from dime-size to the size of a silver dollar, the Asian clams were introduced into the Columbia River, near Knappton, Wash., in 1938, possibly as a food item, according to Museum of Natural History records. (The clams are commonly used as food in some Asian cultures). The Asian clam, which can now be found in nearly 40 states, likely reached New York state sometime before 1997, according to the museum.

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The Parks Department is aware that the clam exists in Brook’s Pond; however, there are no plans to attempt to remove them. Eradicating the clam would involve dredging every square inch of silt in the pond, which would be impossible, Burchsted said.