The size of the shell varies between 25 mm and 85 mm. "The shell is long and oval. The spire is very near the margin. The surface of the shell is spirally lirate; the lines are unequal, rounded and crossed by low folds indicating former positions of the peristome. Its color pattern is reddish-brown, scarlet and green in irregular patches and streaks. The coloration is very variable. The oval perforations number usually 7 to 9. There is no angle at the row of perforations, and the space between perforations and the columellar margin has unequal spiral cords, not coarser than those of the rest of the disk. The inner surface is silvery with light green and red reflections. The two sides are equally curved, and the back is quite convex. The columellar plate is rather narrow, flattened, sloping inward, not in the least truncate at the base. It is so wide above as to wholly conceal the cavity of the spire.
This species is variable and rather bright in coloration, distinguished by its long oval form, numerous perforations and spiral liration."[3]
^Geiger, D. L. 1998. Recent genera and species of the family Haliotidae (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda). The Nautilus 111: 85–116.
Reeve, L.A. 1846. Descriptions of forty species of Haliotis, from the collection of H. Cumming, Esq. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 14: 53–59
Geiger D.L. & Poppe G.T. (2000). A Conchological Iconography: The family Haliotidae. Conchbooks, Hackenheim Germany. 135pp 83pls.
Geiger D.L. & Owen B. (2012) Abalone: Worldwide Haliotidae. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. viii + 361 pp.
