Shell. In general configuration this shell resembles that of clathrus but differs in a number of details. It is smaller and more delicate, with a much glossier surface. The whorls meet at deep sutures and the spire (neglecting the details of ornament) is a little cyrtoconoid or flat-sided. The apical angle is 33-45°. The costae are thin and raised into flat triangular spurs near the adapical suture, which gives the spire a turreted profile; each costa curls slightly up the whorl, though not so markedly as in clathrus and at its adapical end becomes so prosocline in direction as to lie almost at right angles to those on the whorl above. On the last whorl the most basal parts of the costae tend to be longitudinally ridged and grooved; the extreme abapical ends of 8-9 come to lie alongside one another in the columellar region and form a ridged surface between the basal spout of the aperture and the umbilical region. There are 14 costae per whorl in most shells; occasionally one is double, forming a varix. Distinct spiral striae mark the shell between costae. The protoconch is as in clathrus, 800x560 µm.
Aperture. As in clathrus, but the basal spout is marked and the aperture thereby angulated basally. The inner lip is not everted in the columellar region.
Colour. White-fawn, costae white; there are no spiral bands, though suggestions of a peripheral one often occur.
Size. 20x10 mm. Last whorl = 40% of total height; aperture = 25% of toal height.
Animal. Much as in clathrus — the foot more slender, a little indented posteriorly and with a mid-dorsal groove.
Colour. Like clathrus, but paler.

This species, which is very similar to E. clathrum, has been found off northern Europe. It reaches a maximum size of at least 20mm. It is a solid species with 9 or more cream colored teleoconch whorls. There are about 14-16 reflected costae per whorl. The umbilicus is narrowly open and the aperture is oval.
This species can be separated from E. clathrum by the larger number of costae per whorl.

Geographical distribution. Mediterranean, thence N. along the west coast of Europe to Norway and the Kattegat.