Also called Dog Clam, the Cross-barred Venus grows from 1/2 to 2 inches in size and is generally a whitish color with radiating bars of brown. Radial ribs crossed by concentric ridges exist to form the cross-barred design. A central white area inside can be seen where the mantle was attached and two round areas can also be seen where the adductor muscles attached. The Cross-barred Venus lives in the sand of eelgrass beds in dense groups numbering close to 150 individuals per square meter where they filter plankton by using siphons. This clam is used in broth's, along with many other clam species.