Like other scallops it has many small primitive eyes around the rim of its mantle and escapes predators by jet propulsion.

[1] As is the case in most scallops, the shell is mostly circular with two flat auricles or ears that extend off the hinge.

The animal also has approximately 50, 1–5 mm, somewhat transparent tentacles on each side of the rim of the mantle.

This species has not been extensively studied, but based on what is known about the Queen Scallop (Aequipecten opercularis), a different member of the family Pectinidae, the tentacles may contain chemical sensors used to detect predators[2] This species occurs from Point Reyes, California south to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, and Gulf of California, Mexico.

It attaches to kelp, hard objects (rocks, oil well rigs) or invertebrates such as hydroids using byssal threads.