Protoconch of 1¼ whorls, axially ribbed, with abrupt transition to spiral sculpture of teleoconch. Spire straight in outline; aperture ¼ shell length. Whorls sculptured with sharp, widely spaced spiral cords, 2-7 on penultimate whorl, with interspaces concave with axial growth lines. Outer lip thin, smooth, not thickened internally or externally. Columella smooth. Siphonal notch relatively broad. Shell translucent when fresh, uniformly white, partly covered with a thin brown periostracum.
Size: Up to 6 mm in length.

As Daphnella cassandra Hedley, 1904

Shell small, slender, tall, moderately solid. Colour white ( bleached). Whorls seven, including a two-whorled exsert protoconch; angled at the suture. Sculpture : small, sharp, spiral threads, on the earlier whorls three, on the last about ten; above these threads are widely spaced, but on the base crowded. Their interstices are latticed by growth-lines. Aperture narrow, oblong, canal short. Length 5,15 mm.; breadth 1,6 mm.
Hab.—Balmoral Beach, Sydney (Mrs. C. H. Starkey; type); Frederick Henry Bay, Tasmania (W. L. May).

Differs from A. pallidulus by a taller and narrower protoconch, shorter aperture and fewer spiral ribs.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia; Low Isles, Queensland, southwards to southern Tasmania.
Habitat: Subtidal, down to 82 m, and in beach washup. Uncommon.