Endemic to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. The shell is pale yellow to grey. Lateral areas and end valves bear fine radiating ridges, while the central plates are subtly pitted. The girdle is covered in small oval scales, each crossed by 12-24 fine ridges visible only under the microscope.

Ischnochiton textilis occurs along the coastline of Southern Africa. Along the coast of the Cape of Good Hope, groups are common on the underside of boulders in rock pools, from where it may detach and roll up into a ball if disturbed.