Macrocallista nimbosa
The Sunray Venus clam lives close to shore, in water up to a depth of 25 feet. This beautiful bivalve has bands of darker colors which radiate from the beak (umbo) to the margin (periphery). The shell fades quickly from sun exposure. The shell may reach a length of 6 inches. It has a large foot which it uses to bury itself in sand or mud. There it extends siphons to take in water and filter out food.
In Florida there is ongoing research focusing on aquafarming Sunrays because they grow faster than hard clams, reaching an optimal 2-inch harvest size in about a year. Other clams take up to six months longer to harvest. They also have more than twice as much meat because the shells are not as thick or heavy as other clams. Lastly they are sweet and briny making them a favorite seafood choice.
Live shells should never be taken from any Florida State Park.