Description: This bivalve reaches up to 2 cm and is broadly triangular in outline, with a rounded base. They can be white, brown, red or purple, which can either be uniform or arranged into patterns or blotches, spots, streaks or rays. The outer surface of the shell has a sculpture of concentric ridges and grooves. with clear growth stages. Each valve has 3 cardinal teeth, right valve has 2 lateral teeth while the left valve has only 1. The inside of the shell can be white, pink or orange. Pallial sinus is only a small indentation on pallial line.

Habitat: Sandy mud, and fine to medium gravel. Found from 5 m to great depth.

Distribution: Recorded from all around Britain and Ireland, but seems to be rare around island of Ireland on North Sea coast of Britain.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Dosinia lupinus or other superficially similar looking species.

Key Identification Features:

• Triangular outline with rounded base.
• Uniform in colour or patterns of blotches, spots or rays. Clear growth stages.
• 3 cardinal teeth in each valve.
• 2 lateral teeth in right valve, 1 in left.
• Pallial sinus only a small indentation.

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

iNaturalist: Gouldia minima at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Gouldia minima

WoRMS: Gouldia minima at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Gouldia minima (Montagu, 1803). AphiaID: 141916.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Venerida; Veneroidea; Veneridae; Gouldiinae; Gouldia