Family: Donacidae, Donaxes view all from this family

Description 1/2-1" (13-25 mm) long. Elongately triangular, wedge-shaped; hind margin slightly angled behind ligament, strongly toothed; front end rounded. Exterior whitish, usually suffused, rayed, or banded with pink, orange, purple, yellow, brown, or blue; shiny, with crowded, low radial riblets, obscure on front end, stronger on hind end. Interior whitish, suffused with yellow, reddish, or purplish; margin strongly grooved and toothed, especially hind part.

Habitat In sand on beaches, above and at low-tide line.

Range New York to Florida and northern Mexico.

Discussion The species is also known as the Butterfly Shell, Wedge Shell, and Pompano; it is the basis for a famous chowder. Beds of compacted dead shells form a rock called coquina, which has been mined since colonial times. Living shells can be collected readily by quickly digging in the wet sand as a wave retreats down the beach.