Shell very small, elongate-conic, semi-transparent, of 5,5 post-nuclear whorls; outlines of spire straight. Whorls convex, strongly shouldered, constricted to suture below; suture very distinct. Protoconch heterostrophic, planispiral, of about 1 volution, strongly convex; nucleus almost completely immersed. Axial ribs fine, close, rounded (about 26 on penultimate whorl), distinctly arcuate; intercostal spaces of about same width as ribs, not deep; ribs and grooves slowly evanescent late on base; but there is a repaired fracture at beginning of the body-whorl and this no doubt has caused abnormality of sculpture on the body. Spiral sculpture of very fine, rather wavy, dense microscopic lirae, over whole surface between sutures, and on base. Body-whorl high, over one-third length of shell, its outline forming a continuous convex sweep from shoulder on to base. Aperture broadly ovate, angled behind, moderately widely rounded in front; columella set vertically, strongly arcuate, parieto-columellar junction very obtusely subangled; basal lip fairly widely rounded; outer lip thin, straight, oblique to axis of shell (antecurrent towards, suture). Height, 3.0 mm.; width 1.0 mm. Locality: Tauranga (Pilot Bay). Recent.

Pilot Bay, Tauranga (type). Shell smaller than that of cryptolira and with about 26 axials on penultimate.
Height 3.0 mm., width 1.0 mm. Striarcana tauranga Laws, 1937, p. 180.