Shell inequilateral, thin and fragile. Shape cylindrical, elongated. The anterior end short and rounded the posterior elongated, and slightly gaping. There is a well-defined lunule in front. Sculpture of distinct growth lines and strong radiating ribs. Ribs at the posterior end crowded and faint; at anterior end elevated and widely spaced.
chalky white to dirty cream yellow.
common size :
25-80 mm in length.
Cardinal teeth in hinge distinguish it from other species in Pholadidae. It bears a superficial resemblance to the white piddock Barnea candida but has two teeth in the rv and three in the lv whereas B. candida has none.
BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY
Bores mechanically into hard clay, limestone and chalk, consolidated mud.
sand substrata from the lower intertidal zone down to 8 m.