Solid or brittle shell up to about 3cm in length. The outside is dirty white in colour and is white inside. The pallial sinus reaches to about half way along the lateral tooth. The surface is sculptured with concentric rings.
Key identification features
- 'V' shaped projection of teeth reaches more than half way down the hinge plate
Similar species
- Spisula solida has a 'V' shaped projection that does not extend half way down the hinge plate
Ecology and behaviour
urrows in muddy sand and gravel where it filters phytoplankton.
Distribution and status
Common
Distributed from the Barents Sea to the English Channel.