Distinctive. It has dense vertical rows of bristles on the periostracum ("skin") and the animal itself is yellow with black spots. The shell is heavy and and decorated with strong spiral cords. Colour varies from buff to red-brown with with purple splotches on the aperture (opening).

Found in sandy patches around reefs, on moderately sheltered to open coasts.

A predator.

Common Seashells of New Zealand: Parkinson
Coastal Marine Inverts Vol 1