Broadly fan-shaped, auricles subequal, valves equally convex, solid, white with orange to pink mottlings, right valve lighter colored, with ca. 19 squared radial ribs, interspaces with fine commarginal threads, posterior auricle with 7-10 ribs, ctenolium with two teeth; interior white with pinkish stain. Maryland to Florida, Bermuda, Bahamas, West Indies, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Central America, South America (Venezuela, Brazil). Length 40 mm (to 52 mm). Compare other Argopecten species; A. nucleus is brown mottled, whereas A irradians is more evenly brown to gray. Note: This species is a target of commercial fisheries in peninsular Florida, with highly fluctuating annual landings.