Breeding occurs during the summer months. D. vittatus probably has pelagic larvae. When growth is rapid, it lives for two to three years. Otherwise, the life span may be up to seven years.  

 D. vittatus lives just below the sediment surface and is often dislodged by wave action. lts large, powerful foot enables it to reburrow immediately and so reduce the danger of predation (Fish & Fish, 1989).
 This species is a suspension feeder (Wolff, 1973).