Shell subcylindrical to ovate, turreted, solid, up to 25 mm in length, width 43-47-50% of shell length in adult specimens, aperture longer than the spire (54-60-67% of total shell length). Protoconch like a truncated cone in shape, involute-paucispiral, with 2.0-2.5 glossy, rounded, white embryonic whorls. Teleoconch of 5-6 angulate whorls which are distinctly tabulate at sutures. Sculptured with strong spiral cords which bear highly elevated protuberances, number of cords 3-4 on the penultimate whorl and 11-12 on the body whorl, apart from 4-5 fine and narrowly arranged oblique cords of the siphonal fasciole. Protuberances are strongest on the first subsutural spiral cord where protuberances number 13-15 on the body whorl. The deep V-shaped spiral grooves are smooth, but have deep fossules where they are intersected by axial furrows which divide the spiral cords into protuberances. Aperture smooth within, outer lip crimped, inner lip strongly protruding especially in the two anterior thirds, columella with 3-4 strong plaits. Base colour white, ornamented with irregular orange-red blotches on the spire and upper two thirds of body whorl, broad orange-red spiral zone on the lower part of the body whorl; very striking fine interrupted red lines at the bottom of the spiral grooves on all whorls. Aperture and columella white.

The typical shell characters of the above described species, in particular the spiral rows of robust and sharp protuberances, are not known in any other species of Mitridae. In respect of other shell characters there are rather slight similarities to Pterygia scabricula (Linnaeus, 1758), Scabricola (Scabricola) eximia (A. Adams, 1853) and Scabricola {Scabricola) splendidula Salisbury & Suduiraut, 2003.
Pterygia scabricula is similar in general aspect (shape, rather strong spiral ridges, reddish colouring), differs however in size and important details of sculpture and colour pattern. P. scabricula is considerably larger (up to 44 mm, versus only 24 mm in P. gorii n. sp.), has a prominently different, less coarse sculpture lacking sharply angulate whorls, lacking also the spiral rows of strong tubercles (especially on the first subsutural spiral cord), and has wider spiral grooves with axial riblets which are unknown in P. gorii n. sp. P. scabricula differs also in lacking the broad reddish-brown zone on the lower half of the body whorl and the fine interrupted red lines in the spiral grooves, shows also a fawn to brown interior of the aperture versus the pure white columella and aperture of P. gorii n. sp.
Scabricola eximia is similar in size, shape, rough sculpture and reddish colouring, but differs likewise in lacking spiral rows of robust and sharp protu-berances, has smooth spiral cords and wider spiral grooves with axial riblets, and is lacking a broad reddish zone near the base of the body whorl, differs furthermore in lacking interrupted red spiral lines in the spiral grooves and in showing a brown columella and brown interior of the aperture.
A slight similarity with Scabricola splendidula rests mainly on its pustulate spiral cords; however the nodules of the spiral cords are much finer and are a result of bisecting the cords by many narrowly spaced deep axial grooves; also in other respects a confusion with P. gorii n. sp. appears hardly possible, for S. splendidula is much smaller (only up to 15 mm in length), has a much more acuminate spire and a quite different colour pattern with two broad white zones on the body whorl.

Type locality:
Maldive Islands.
Distribution and habitat:
East Africa (Northern Mozambique), Comores Islands (Mayotte), Maldive Islands (Ari, Felidoo and Nilandhe Atolls) and Papua New Guinea (New Ireland). From very shallow subtidal water (1-3 m) to scuba depths (20-30 m), on bottoms of sand and coral rubble, also in caves at reef dropoffs.