This shell is robust, equivalve, inflated and slightly inequilateral, with crenulated margins.

The surface shows 18-20 strong radial ribs, with rows of spiny nodules.

The basic coloration is usually pale brown with alternating darker concentric bands.

Right and left valve of the same specimen: Acanthocardia tuberculata can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

This species is present in the continental shelf from low tide to 200 m. Like most other bivalves, these mollusks are suspension feeders filtering phytoplankton.