Theora lubrica is a bivalve mollusc endemic to the Northwest Pacific, including northern Japan, southern Russia and Hong Kong.

[2] It was introduced into harbours around the North Island of New Zealand around 1972, and has since spread to the upper South Island.

[2] Theora lubrica is a deposit feeder with a thin, nearly transparent shell.

[4] Theora lubrica is mud-tolerant and lives in burrows on subtidal and lower intertidal flats.

[4][2] Theora lubrica is considered a pollution-indicator species as it is tolerant of pollution and is often found to be abundant in polluted sediments.