Conical shell up to 12mm in height with seven to eight whorls. The colour is white marked with brown and purple spots. Shell surface is sculptured with 5 to 6 spiral ridges which are broken into granulations by numerous oblique lines. The animal possesses three pairs of epipodal tentacles.
Key identification features
- Conical shell with flat sides and a pointed apex
- Breadth approximately equal to height
- Shells spiral ridges are crossed by transverse ridges giving a reticulated pattern
Similar species
- Calliostoma granulatum has sides which are slightly concave
- Calliostoma zizyphinum spiral ridges on the last whorl are not beaded
Ecology and behaviour
Lives on stoney or gravelly bottoms.
Distribution and status
Occasional
Occurs from northern Norway south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.