Description

 Chlamys distorta is a small bivalve, up to 5 cm long, often with a brightly patterned and coloured shell. The valves are oval with 60 (35-50 in juveniles) or more radiating ribs and two prominent ears, one of which is larger than the other. Once an individual has become cemented to a hard surface, the lower (right) valve becomes deeply convex whereas the upper (left) valve is less so.