Size: Up to 12mm high; 5mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up half to two thirds of the total shell height. Has a short but wide siphonal canal and shallow anal siphon. There is a distinct subsutural shelf on each whorl. Colour: White to biscuit coloured. Shell is slightly translucent when alive. Sculpture: 12-16 costae per whorl with numerous spiral ridges which are faint on the tops of the costae and more pronounced in between. Animal: Flesh is grey or brownish with white flecks. Tentacles have an eye about a third of the way down. Small oval operculum on foot.
Ecology and behaviour
Lives on sandy bottoms from 20 to 200m deep and feeds on small polychaete worms.
Distribution and status
Found all around the British Isles and may be more common locally.
References and links
- Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.