Synonyms :
Exuviaeila minima Pavillard 1916
Prorocentrum triangulatum Martin 1929
Exuviaeila mariae-lebouriae Parke et Ballantine 1957
Prorocentrum cordiformis Bursa 1959

Morphological Characteristics :
Short apical spine. Two flagella, with numerous pores on top of them, normally located at the central part of the front side. Some small spines at the surface of valve. The nucleus which is located at the posterior side is elliptic or circular shape. Two pigment bodies, in yellowish brown colour.

Size of Specimen :
14-22 mm (L), 13-17 mm (W)
Apical spine: 1 mm (L)

Distribution :
Normally at shallow sea, estuarine environment and coastal waters. Widely distributed in a lot of countries. Has been found in most of the coastal waters of China, including Hong Kong and the South China Sea caused red tide and fishkills at Tinjian in August 1977.

Major Limiting Factors :
Mainly dissolved phosphates; optimal growth at N:P atomic ratios 4-13. Favoured by warm temperature of 22-25°C and low light illumination (<3500 lux).

Toxicity :
May cause DSP; toxic records in the Atlantic coast of USA and Japan.