The shell is compressed, relatively elongate, the posterior expanded, usually winged; ventral margin usually straight, rarely convex or slightly sinuate; shell length up to 90 mm; width/length ratio greater than 55%. The siphons are brick red with dark blotches (cf. V. wilsoni). Anterior adductor scar weakly impressed and the hinge teeth are smooth.
Shallow burrower in silty sand/mud in streams, billabongs and slow-flowing rivers. Suspension feeder. Reproduction occurs throughout the year. Larvae (glochidia) are brooded in the marsupia in the gills of females and, when released, become parasitic on the fins or gills of fish where they undergo metamorphosis before dropping to the sediment as free-living juvenile mussels. Able to tolerate low oxygen concentrations and long periods out of water. Recrutment is affected by levels of dissolved oxygen (Humphrey & Simpson 1985). These mussels from 11-35 years and life span is correlated with dissolved oxygen concentrations.
This species is widely distributed, occurring from north-eastern Queensland throughout tropical northern Australia, and extending south to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.