Conical shell up to 30mm in height with about ten whorls. The colour varies from yellow or brown to pink or purple and is overlaid with irregular dark purple or red markings. Pure white specimens sometimes occur and are considered by some to be a separate species. Shell surface is sculptured with 6 to 9 spiral ridges which are beaded. The animal possesses four or five pairs of epipodal tentacles.
- Conical shell with flat sides and a pointed apex
- Breadth approximately equal to height
- Shells spiral ridges on the last whorl are smooth
- Calliostoma granulatum has sides which are slightly concave? - does this work?
- Jujubinus miliaris has a clearly reticulated sculpture on the shell surface
Grazed rock surface for vegetable matter and small coelenterates. The yellowish eggs are laid in a string of jelly attached to rock or algae. The young snails emerge from this after 7 to 10 days.
Fairly common. Found on all western European shores from the Mediterranean north to the Lofoten Islands.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.