Similar in shape to Spisula discors, but gets slightly larger. These two species are often difficult to tell apart. However S. murchisoni has fine, transverse ridges on the lateral (side) teeth of the hinge. As these can be eroded off in large individuals, also look for a sharp radial ridge on the posterior (back) edge of the shell. This shell is white on the outside and porcellain like on the inside. It has a straw coloured periostracum (skin), it is paler than the perioctracum of S. discors.

Found buried in clean sand off exposed shores. Prefers very exposed shores eg Ninety Mile Beach. More abundant in the south. Found in the shallow subtidal to about 10m.

Filter feeds on plankton.

Broadcast spawner.

NZ Coastal Marine Inverts. Vol 1