A solid, angular and oval shell, with many strong ribs. Can be covered with many fine concetric rings giving the shell a crosshatched look. Externally the shell is white to cream and can be stained with yellow near the hinge. There may also be rust coloured stains on the shell. Inside the shell is shiny white with brown, violet or dark purple black (this latter especially in juveniles).

Buried near the surface in moderate to coarse sand on semi pretected to exposed shores. From mid-to low intertidal to shallow subtidal.

A filter feeder of plankton.

Broadcast spawner.

NZ Coastal Marine Inverts Vol 1