Small, 14 to 26mm long, 9 to 15mm wide. Plates and girdle are pinkish, and along the crest is a pale (or alternatively, black) stripe. Commonly there is a wedge-shaped paler marking or either side of the crest. There is almost a keel along the crest of the plates. There are 20 to 22 well defined, flattened beaded ribs on the front plate. The rear plate has 12 to 16 beaded ribs. The other plates have 3 to 5 beaded ribs. There are 16 to 20 front to back grooves on either side of the crest of each plate.

Subtidal to 60m. Common around oyster beds and shell debris. North Island, South Island, Stewart Island.

This is a grazer, likely feeding on red algae.

Not often seen, tends to be sub-tidal, but might occasionally be seen by divers or snorkellers. Can be confused with the snakeskin chiton.

http://naturewatch.org.nz/guide_taxa/410938 Photo credit; Jean McKinnon