The shell valves are nearly circular, the outer surface being sculptured with fine concentric rings and closely-packed radial lines.

[3] Like other members of its family Lucinidae, Codakia orbicularis does not have an inhalant siphon, instead rolling its elongated foot into a mucus-lined tube and drawing water into the gill cavity through this.

It does have an exhalant siphon which is formed from a highly extensible mantle flap and can be inverted and drawn back into the shell.

[5][6] Codakia orbicularis is native to the western Atlantic Ocean where its range includes from Florida and the northern coast of the Caribbean Sea.

The large-yolked eggs are enclosed in a thick gelatinous membrane and the early developmental stages take place inside this capsule.