Mopalia spectabilis is a chiton that has a central area of plates 2-7 pitted in longitudinal rows.

The natural range of M. spectabilis stretches from Kodiak Island, Alaska to Baja California.

[3] This chiton feeds on a variety of invertebrates including sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, and tunicates (particularly Metandrocarpa taylori).

This species often carries hitchhikers attached to its valves, including encrusting bryozoans and small tube worms.

[4] Recent molecular systematic studies have suggested that M. spectabilis is not a monophyletic species, with Mopalia ferreirai nested within M.