Fusiform (b/1 0.27-0.30, a/1 0.37-0.46) with acuminate, orthoconoid spire and narrow, tapering base, siphonal canal subequal in length to rest of aperture, which is narrowly elliptical; fasciole weak, false umbilicus very narrow or absent, tip of canal obliquely truncate to strongly rounded, sometimes shallowly notched in young examples. Edge of outer lip crenulated, interior with thin spiral ridges; anal sinus fairly shallow, forming a linear notch. Early whorls flattened, with 3 subequal, granulose ridges. Later teleoconch whorls with a weak median angle, formed by peripheral cord; suture a shallow notch; subsutural cord weak and impressed, with a low, median angular ridge and 1-3 thin threads on either side; sulcus a shallow, slight concavity. Sinus cord low, stepped and concave-topped, with a ridge on either side of crest in adult; peripheral cord forming a prominent angle, with sloping sides; base of spire whorls with 2 weakly angular ridges, the sutural one the stronger. Base of last whorl with 18-23 spiral ridges, upper ones strongest but most of varying strength. Interstices and subsutural region with minute, crinkly, flattened collabral lamellae. Ground colour white, vividly marked below suture with reddish-brown rectangles, and stained with reddish-brown around upper part of base; main cords with spots or bars of dark brown, strongest on peripheral cord; sinus cord with paired spots of reddish-brown. Protoconch (after Vera-Pelaez et al. 2000): bluntly cyrtoconoid, of about 3.5 whorls, the first very small, lip sinusigerous; smooth, developing axial riblets on 3rd and 4th whorl.
Attains 93.9 mm.

Characterised mainly by its coarse pattern of more or less large, staggered, dark brown transverse spots on a white ground. The differences between T. hidalgoi and T. spectabilis are not always sharply defined, but may be summarised as follows:
- T. hidalgoi: Subsutural cord: distinct, bearing a strong median ridge;covered by alternate large dark brown and white rectangles. Sinus cord: relatively wide, and flat or concave topped, bearing two spiral ridges.
- T. spectabilis: Subsutural cord: weak or absent, with 2-4 thin ridges (sometimes a slightly stronger median ridge) light reddish brown with small dark brown and white rectangles at suture Sinus cord: of two thin threads, occasionally granular..

Philippines, in 10-250 m, on mud.