Fusiform shell with 9-9.5 convex whorls, rather glossy. This species can easily be differentiated from T. hupferi by the swollen body whorl. The 2nd to the 5* whorl are separated by a distinctive suture supported by a subsutural keeled cord which becomes rounded in later whorls and completely disappears in the body whorl. However, some specimens may occasionally again show a sharp-ridged subsutural cord in the last whorl (Strebel, 1912). The 1.5 embryonic whorls are smooth but in the 2nd to 4th whorl axial folds, which occupy the complete surface of a whorl and are most distinctive in the suprasutural area, may appear. These plicae completely disappear in the 5th whorl. A spiral sculpture of parallelly incised lines is hardly visible over the entire surface. The siphonal canal is provided with a series of narrow grooves. The parietal callus is relatively obvious. The colour is translucent white to very light bluish-grey, contrasting with the subsutural zone and the parietal callus which are pure white. Rarely yellow coloured.
Remark: The apical angle of the postnuclear whorls is larger than in T. lineata. The last whorl is more prominent and more bulbous. Measurements: 10-24 mm. Habitat: in sand of tidal zone. Geographic range: Accra, Ghana (Strebel), Cap Esterias, Gabon (CFN, MNHN), Praia Santiago, Prov. Bengo, Angola (CFN).