The interior of the shell possesses crenulations on its bottom edge, and like most Veneridae it has well-developed lateral and cardinal teeth on the hinge line.

Odd valves of Chione cancellata, are sometimes gathered by male Sooty Terns, as nesting material, prior to egg-laying by the female.

The taxonomic status of the common tropical western Atlantic venerid bivalve, Chione cancellata, was radically revised in 2000.

However, specimens inhabiting waters off the United States and Central America south to Belize, are in fact a different species.

Examination of specimens of both species supported the separation, including difference in shell sculpture, hinge morphology, and size of the pallial cavity.