Solid shell up to about 4cm in length. Pale yellow, dirty white or brown in colour sometimes with lines zig-zags or blotches of purple or brown. Sculpture of flattened concentric rings crossed by very fine radiating lines (difficult to see with the naked eye). Pallial sinus reaching the midpoint of the shell. Inside of shell white or cream tinged with yellow. Lunule bounded by a fine groove. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve are bifid.
Key identification features
- Pallial sinus does not reach midline of shell
- Smooth surfaced (glossy) shell with sculpture of flattened concentric rings
- Pallial sinus and line are not confluent
Similar species
- Tapes rhomboides tends to be more oblong and less glossy
Ecology and behaviour
Shallow burrower in gravel, muddy gravel and soft black mud where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton.
Distribution and status
Widely distributed
Recorded from the Norwegian Sea to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.