Shell fusiform, high and slender, tapering regularly to the apex of teleoconch, protoconch more elevated and pointed. Protoconch of 3.5 whorls, nearly equal in diameter, and thus cylindrical; each whorl strongly convex bearing 2 prominent and well separated spiral keels, without any other sculpture; limit from teleoconch ill-defined, marked by the development of axial ribs. Teleoconch of 11 or 12 whorls with fine, prominent, widely spaced spiral cords, numbering 2 on earlier whorls, 3 on the following ones, the new cord originating immediately under the upper suture; this upper cord remaining weaker except on last whorl. Rounded axial ribs, a little weaker than the cords, crossing them at right angles, and numbering 18-19 per whorl; each intersection with a small bead, more or less rounded, sometimes reduced to a faint swelling. Numerous close-set axial riblets well visible under microscope, on the whole surface including spiral cords, axial ribs and their intervals, numbering 18 or 19 on each axial rib and the near interval, totalling 400 per whorl. A fourth spiral cord emerging from suture at base of last whorl, as strong as the other cords, but bearing only faint swellings rather than beads. A fifth spiral cord, smooth and unbeaded, at mid-height of base. Aperture circular, anterior canal markedly oblique. Colour dark blackish brown to golden brown, the 3 earlier whorls of teleoconch and protoconch white. Size: holotype total height 6 mm; width at base 1.5 mm; height of protoconch 0.74 mm; maximum width of protoconch 0.40 mm.

This species is easily dinstinguished from other species of Cerithiopsidae by its slender shape, and by its protoconch bearing 2 spiral keels. Species of the genus Cerithiopsis with a slender shape have a smooth protoconch. Species of the genus Mendax have an axially ribbed protoconch. Some species with a similar shape and similar teleoconch sculpture have been described by Laseron (1956) in the genus Cerithiopsis and by Marshall (1978) in the genus Laskeya, but their protoconchs are very different. A protoconch with a similar sculpture has been illustrated by Marshall (1978) in the family Triphoridae (Inella gigas) but with a sinistral coiling. This species seems to have some variable characters: its colour ranging from blackish brown to golden brown; the size of its teleoconch beads, (either well rounded on some specimens or obsolete on other ones, the sculpture being thus reduced to a cancellate pattern); and its size, with specimens smaller and narrower though in their adult state; however all these specimens have identical protoconchs, and many intermediates exist between these variations.

Réunion. Found in hand-dredged sand at 10-20 m off Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, between Hermitage and St Paul Bay.