Venus campechiensis Gmelin, 1791 Mercenaria campechiensis, also known as the southern hardshell clam,[1] southern hard clam,[2] and southern quahog,[3][4] is a species of bivalve belonging to the family Veneridae.

[1][5][6] The species is found in western North Atlantic north to New Jersey (USA), including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico[5][6] in waters shallower than 20 meters.

[1] Mercenaria campechiensis is harvested commercially for human consumption.

However, it typically occurs in nearshore open-ocean waters, whereas Mercenaria mercenaria is found in embayments and estuaries.

[2][4] Mercenaria campechiensis can grow to a total length of 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in).