This species, recently described, has unmistakable characteristics that make it easily determinable. Shell with whorls not much convex crossed by a rather variable spiral sculpture. This one is made by some large spiral cords roundish, one of which is often more prominent than the other ones. These cords can be either quite strong or just sketched. Axial sculpture missing. Apex obtuse and made by about 1.5 whorls covered by a fine spiral microsculpture. Aperture round in form, lip simple, orthocline, non expanded. Brown reddish in colour, with maculae light in colour, but there can be found monochromatic specimens either dark brown or white. Operculum corneous, oval in form. Pulchella form of Bittium submamillatam has a spiral sculpture evident but, compared with C. abylensis, it has a larger number of cords which are also narrower and less prominent. Average measures of adult specimens are around 2.5-3 mm in height.

Habitat: it lives among brown algae, mainly on Halopteris scoparia, in the mesolittoral and infralittoral zones. Distribution: it is found in the area around the Straits of Gibraltar only. Most shells were collected at Getares (Spain), at 10-15 m depth.