What is a heliotrope? How much? How many types of heliotrope snails are there?

If you are a seafood fanatic, you can’t miss the heliotrope snail with the snail meat that is delicious, sweet, chewy and very nutritious. Please read through the article below to know more information about this fish.

What is a heliotrope?

The heliotrope snail, scientifically known as Lutraria rhynchaena, is a bivalve mollusk in the family Mactridae in the order Veneroida. It has a soft body and looks very much like an elephant’s trunk, so it is called a heliotrope snail.

The snail’s body is in two pieces of ivory-white shell that protects the outside like the shell of a pearl mussel, the meat is denser than the blood cockle, the sweetness is appreciated similar to abalone.

Geoduck

Heliotrope snails live in saltwater, brackish water and often live on coral reefs and shoals in warm seas.

It is an aquatic species with high economic and nutritional value and special taste. According to research, in the elephant snail meat contains 16 types of amino acids that help synthesize protein in the body and many other essential minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, selenium… And have good effects on health. men by providing extremely high levels of zinc.

There are many types of heliotrope snails

In Vietnam, there are two common types of heliotrope snails: native snails and snails imported from Canada. Overall, they are relatively similar in appearance, but you can still distinguish them through some of the following identifying features.

Canadian heliotrope snail

Canadian heliotrope snail

• It is the largest snail in the world. The size of the Canadian heliotrope snail is about 15 – 20 cm, the average weight is from 1.5 – 2.5 kg, and even there are children with a length of about 1-2m, the weight can reach 4 – 5kg/head.
• Shell ivory white, long and large tentacles.

Vietnamese elephant snails

Vietnamese elephant snails

• The size is much smaller , only about 10cm.
• The outer shell is darker, the tentacles are shorter and smaller. You can find them in the waters of Vietnam. And they are often called as comedians.

How much? Where do you buy it?

The heliotrope snail is quite expensive compared to other snails. Depending on the size, time, freshness, there are different prices:

• Ivory snails imported from Canada: About 800,000 – 1,000,000 VND/kg
• Domestic heliotrope snail: About 420,000 – 500,000 VND/kg

How much is a 1kg heliotrope snail? Where do you buy it?

You can buy heliotrope snails at large and reputable markets or seafood stores in Ho Chi Minh City or any major city . Here are some suggestions for reputable and quality places to sell heliotrope snails in Saigon:

• Aeon Tan Phu Store : 30 Tan Thang Street, Son Ky, Tan Phu, Ho Chi Minh City
• Kingfood Store: 31 Tan My Street, Tan Phu, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hieu seafood : 62 Nguyen Hong, Ward 11, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City

Above is information about heliotrope snail species as well as the current market price. Hope the above information will be useful to you.

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