Maximum shell length 7.5 cm, commonly to 5 cm. Attached byssus among rocks.underside of coral slabs, or nestling in crevices. Littoral and sublittoral to a depth 20 m.locally collected for food in the Philippines and marketed fresh or salted. Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific. from East and South Africa, including Madagascar, the Red sea and the persian Gult, to eastern polynesia:to japan and Hawii,and south to Queensland.