The green colour comes from a papery covering called the periostracum, in the wild this often peels away and the dull white shell beneath shows through. Often the surface of the shell is overgrown by other encrusting animals. it has no hinge teeth and thus relies on muscles to hold the shell shut.

Found from low intertidal to 50 m on moderate to exposed shores.

Filter feeder.

It often has symbiotic pea crabs living inside and a hydroid called mussels beard (Amphisbetia minima) attached to the outside.
Daily limit per person 25, no minimum size limit.

NZ Marine Fishes: Paul