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Oregon › Fishing › Clam & Crab Identification

Clam & Crab Identification

Cockle

Shell has prominent, evenly spaced ridges (ribs). Size 1½ to 3".

Cockle shell with a rounded, heart-shaped dome and strong, evenly spaced radial ribs, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Cockle shell with pronounced radial ribs to help users identify this shellfish species.

Littleneck Clam

(Steamer) Shell has radiating ribs, lacks deep scalloped edge of cockle. Size 1½ to 2½".

Littleneck clam shell with a rounded oval shape, fine radial ribs, and subtle concentric growth lines, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Littleneck clam shell with fine ribs and smooth growth lines to help users identify this species.

Butter Clam

(Martha Washington) Shell has fine concentric lines of growth. Size 2 to 4".

Butter clam shell with a thick, oval shape and smooth, dark bluish surface with subtle concentric growth lines, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Butter clam shell with a thick oval shape and smooth dark surface to help users identify this species.

Softshell Clam

(Mud) (non-native) Egg shaped shell with concentric rings. Size 2 to 4".

Softshell clam shell with an elongated oval shape, thin brittle exterior, and pale tan surface marked with concentric growth rings, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Softshell clam shell with a thin oval shape and visible growth rings to help users identify this species.

Gaper Clam

(Blue, Empire, Horseneck) Large gape where neck protrudes. Size 3 to 6".

Gaper clam shell with a large, thick oval shape, worn exterior patches, and a prominent siphon end, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Gaper clam shell with a thick body and pronounced siphon end to help users identify this species.

Razor Clam

Thin, oval shell has a smooth, lacquer-like, light brown coating; typically found on sandy ocean beaches. Size 3 to 6".

Razor clam shell with a long, narrow, oblong shape and smooth golden-brown surface marked by subtle growth rings, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Razor clam shell with a sleek, narrow shape to help users identify this species.

Purple Varnish Clam

(non-native) Thin, flat, shiny brown shell with external hinge. Interior of shell has purple hue. Size 1½ to 4".

Purple varnish clam shell with a rounded oval shape, glossy brown exterior, and faint purple tones near the hinge, shown for accurate shellfish identification.
Purple varnish clam shell with a smooth, glossy surface to help users identify this invasive species.

Before Harvesting Clams and Mussels

For your safety, call the Oregon Department of Agriculture Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the Shellfish Safety Status page before harvesting clams or mussels.

Red Rock Crab

Native crab with a red fan-shaped back and large black-tipped claws.

Red rock crab with a broad, spiny-edged shell, bright reddish coloring, and strong claws, shown for accurate crustacean identification.
Red rock crab with a spiny shell and bold red coloring to help users identify this species.

European Green Crab

  • Non-native invasive crab
  • 3 bumps between eyes,5 spines on each side of carapace
  • Color is variable, and not the best characteristic to identify: crab can be green, black, or yellow on top of carapace and have white, yellow, orange, or reddish undersides and leg jointsEuropean green crab with a mottled green and brown shell, five spine-like points on each side of the carapace, and slender walking legs, shown for accurate invasive species identification.
    European green crab with mottled coloring and five side spines to help users identify this invasive species.

Learn more about this species on the European Green Crab page, or visit ODFW’s Exotic Crab Identification page.

Dungeness Crab

Female crabs have a rounded flap on their underside. Male crabs have an elongated flap. Minimum measurement does not include points.

Guide showing how to correctly measure the carapace width of a Dungeness crab (minimum 5¾ inches) using the widest points on the shell, along with side-by-side images of male and female crabs labeled by the shape of their abdominal flaps—long and narrow for males, wide and rounded for females.
Dungeness crab identification guide showing proper size measurement and the differences between male and female crabs.
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