Small to medium-sized, rounded cone-shaped shell with moderately wide to wide umbilicus; upper-side sculpture of 4 ribs (the 2 central ones often somewhat weaker), frequently flanked by weaker threads; with more or less flattened nodules; rounded periphery formed by 4 ribs (2 central ones weaker); basal sculpture of 6-7 spiral ribs; convex umbilical side of columellar wall without spiral ribs. Reddish-tan with pattern of regular flames and flecks on peripheral ribs. Protoconch diameter 1.14-1.30 mm, strongly heterostrophic, without anal keel.
Teleoconch: small to medium-sized, diameter of specimens in collections usually 8-11.5 at 3 1/4-4 1/8 whorls (rarely more than 5 whorls). Shape: rounded cone-shaped with moderately wide umbilicus (UD 15-25% of SD). Sculpture: Upper side: SSR, 2 MR and UPR (MR often weakest), frequently flanked by weaker threads; with ± flattened nodules; Periphery: rounded peripheral area formed by LPR and somewhat weaker IPR, with 2 (rarely 3) relatively strong additional ribs between them; upper point of whorl attachment at the upper additional rib; Base: 6-7 flattened, relatively smooth spiral ribs, increasing in width towards umbilicus, with PUR often considerably wider than UC; UC with 12-18 nodules on body whorl; umbilical side of columellar wall bulging, without distinct spiral sculpture. Coloration: light reddish-tan with weak pattern of ± regular darker flames; peripheral ribs with regular pattern of brown flecks (each about 2 nodules wide); sutures, especially between SSR and UMR, often darker. - Protoconch: medium-sized to large (1.14-1.30, x = 1.22), multispiral, strongly heterostrophic, without anal keel; yellowish-tan with brown patches. -Operculum: low cone-shaped. - Radula and Anatomy: not known.
Type measurements (holotype): SD = 9.8, H = 7.3, PD = 1.24, Tw = 3 3/4, UD - 2.0.

GARRARD (1977: 532) described ponderi as a subspecies of Heliacus cerdaleus (Melvill &: STANDEN, 1903). Although somewhat similar (see below), that species differs in a number of characters (protoconch size, sculpture of the midrib area, position of whorl attachment, coloration), so that specific identity is highly unlikely. Both forms are now known to occur sympatrically and are even known from a single sample. The former nominal subspecies ponderi is here raised to species level. The specimens referred to in BAYER'S (1948: 29) treatment of " Torinia mighelsi" belong to Helicaus ponderi (material in RNHL, vidi). One of the specimens figured by GARRARD in connection with the original description of ponderi (1977: pl.9 figs.7-9) is not a member of this species and may represent an undescribed species. It differs from H. ponderi by a finer sculpture (112 nodules on the peripheral ribs of the third teleoconch whorl, compared to about 70 in H. ponderi), by having only one additional rib between lower peripheral and infraperipheral ribs (two in H. ponderi), by white umbilical crenae (general base color in H. ponderi), and by a larger protoconch (1.36 mm). Additional material will be necessary to determine its status. See also H. madurensis.

Geographical distribution: Known from Australia. Record from Hawaiian Islands doubtful. Type locality: "Long Reef, Collaroy, near Sydney, New South Wales (33°43'S., 151° 18'E.).W
Habitat: Sublittoral; records from 15-110 m.