Grooved carpet shell or Tapes Semidecussatus is one of the most used shellfish to cook traditional Italian dishes
This bivalve lives in colonies, usually in shallow waters, under the sand at 15-20 cm of depth, and on muddy seabed.
It breeds mainly in the summertime (July-August). In Italy, it’s particularly common in the Adriatic, but also in low and middle Tyrrhenian.
They are caught in shallow waters by means of a rake, or using boats or mechanized systems, that is, through trawl rake, hydraulic dredge, vibrant dredger, crampon, long and short pump. Hand-picking is the only technique that can be practiced by non-professionals. They can also be bred.
Clams are sold alive or shelled and even frozen.
