Shell to 9.0 mm in length, fusiform-elongate to elongate-ovate, width 36-43% of length, sutures deeply channeled. Whorls 4-5, almost flat-sided or weakly convex apart from 3 conoidal, glassy, milky-white embryonic whorls. First 2-2.5 postembryonic whorls coarsely granulose and sculptured with 3 strong spiral cords and bisecting axial riblets of about equal strength which produce nodules at point of intersection; penultimate whorl with 4-6 elevated and flat-topped spiral cords, body whorl with 18-21 cords inclusive of those on the siphonal fasciole. Axial ribs weaken on last 2-3 whorls and appear as longitudinal lirae upon the cords and in the interspaces. Aperture about equal in height to the spire, narrow, smooth within, outer lip convex and weakly undulate, columella calloused in mature specimens and with 3-4 oblique folds, siphonal canal straight. First 2 post-embryonic whorls white, last 3 whorls blotched with orange-brown, orange-brown zones appearing as 2 very broad interrupted transverse bands on body whorl, sutural cords spotted with orange-brown, aperture white, banded with orange-brown in interior.

Red Sea

This minute deep-water species is superficially similar to Mitra suturata Reeve, 1845, but differs from this species in its greater width-ratio and more numerous and conoidal embryonic whorls; the first two post-embryonic whorls are prominently granulose and the interspaces between the cords are broader and axially lirate in M. gonatophora but are groove-like and punctate in M. suturata.