Solid shell up to 9cm in length. The colour is very variable and includes white, red, pink, brown, orange, yellow and purple and shades between these. In addition, the valves are often patterned with various combination of these. The surface of the shell is sculptured with rounded ribs which are corregated.
Key identification features
- About 19 to 22 broad radiating ribs
- The ears of the valves are nearly equal in size
Ecology and behaviour
Early in life it lives attached by byssus threads becoming becoming free living. Lives on sand or gravel where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton. It is capable of swimming for considerable distances in both directions by flapping its valves.
Distribution and status
Common. Distributed from northern Norway to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.