Shell fusiform-biconic (b/1 0.37-0.39; a/1 0.49-0.54), with a high spire; base tapering, shallowly excavated. Protoconch of 1 ½ strongly convex whorls with a series of weak axial growth ribs at termination; under SEM the protoconch surface is seen to be sculptured by microscopic rows of spiral threads more evident on terminal part. Protoconch diameter: 0.75-0.90 mm. Teleoconch of up to 5 whorls sharply shouldered at mid-whorl height, sutural ramp broad, shallowly concave. First teleoconch whorl with a prominent peripheral cord; in some specimens a second weaker cord just below the peripheral one. Two prominent spiral cords on second whorl, increasing to 3 on antepenultimate and penultimate whorls (in some specimens with a fourth narrow spiral cord at level of abapical suture). Last whorl with 3-5 spiral cords; 11-14 cords on base and rostrum. Axial sculpture of fine to relatively prominent growth lines. No axial ribs. Under SEM the surface of sutural ramp and the interspaces, between spiral cords, are seen to be covered by microscopic rows of slightly wavy spiral threads. Aperture narrowly lanceolate, tapering slightly towards base, truncated posteriorly at sinus. Columella and parietal region weakly convex, columellar callus thin. Siphonal canal short, shallowly notched. Outer lip thin. Anal sinus deep, relatively broad, occupying entire sutural ramp. Color uniform pale orange-yellow. Dimensions: Holotype: 11.1 x 4.3 mm, aperture height 6.0 mm; largest paratype: 13.2 x 5.1 mm, aperture height 7.2 mm; smallest paratype: 9.7 x 3.8 mm, aperture height 4.8 mm.

Tropidoturris vizcondei sp. nov. is comparable only to Tropidoturris simplicicingula simplicicingula (Barnard, 1958) and T planilirata Kilburn, 1986 in the complete lack of axial sculpture, but otherwise differs distinctly from both species mainly in its smaller dimensions (up to 13.2 mm versus 19.8 in T. simplicicingula simplicicingula and 16.8 mm in T. planilirata), and in possessing fewer teleoconch whorls (up to 5 whorls versus 6 in T simplicicingula simplicicingula and 5 ½ in T. planilirata) sculptured by fewer spiral cords. In particular, Tropidoturris vizcondei sp. nov. has 3-4 and 3-5 spiral cords on penultimate and last whorl respectively while T. simplicicingula simplicicingula and T planilirata have respectively 6-10 and 4-5 spiral cords (excluding peripheral cord) on abapical part of penultimate whorl. Furthermore, T. planilirata has 1-2 spiral cords on sutural ramp which are totally absent in T vizcondei. The shell of T vizcondei is uniform pale orange-yellow while that of both T planilirata and T simplicicingula simplicicingula is more vividly patterned with brown blotches. Finally, in Tropidoturris vizcondei the anal sinus seems broader than in any of its described congeners.

East Africa. Mozambique Channel.