Description: The slender shell of this razor clam is long and fragile with a slight curve to both sides of each valve. It can reach around 13 cm in length. The shell surface is smooth and light coloured, with purple-brown banding. The pallial sinus scar is visible on the inside of each valve and has a distinctive U-shape.

Habitat: Fine muddy sand from low water to shallow sublittoral.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other Ensis species, especially Ensis leei which also has a curved shell, although the shape of their pallial sinus scar differs and should help distinguish between the two.

Key Identification Features:

• Slightly curved shell.
• U-shaped pallial sinus scar.

Distribution Map from NBN: Ensis ensis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Ensis ensis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Ensis ensis

WoRMS: Ensis ensis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ensis ensis (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 140733.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Adapedonta; Solenoidea; Pharidae; Cultellinae; Ensis