Shell small to average in size for genus, solid. Conical in shape with globose whorls. The protoconch is slightly damaged, but the sculpture of the first whorls is clearly visible. Near the suture of these early whorls there are many strong axial ribs. Weak spiral ribs start on these first whorls and gradually become stronger and more numerous towards the aperture. There are 6 of them on the upper part of the last whorl. These spiral ribs cross each other with strong axial ribs. Where they cross a strong rounded knob is formed. The suture is not deep, but bordered by a well developed sutural channel, which is clearly seen in the outline of the shell. The base is convex, covered with 4 spiral ribs, the axial ones becoming weak in this area. The parietal side is covered with a translucent callus that goes over in a columellar callus. On the columella there is a double tooth. Many labial teeth cover the inner side of the aperture and there is a groove along the outer lip. Color varies from cream white with sparse brown flecks near the suture to golden brown with brown flecks near the suture.

Its round, convex whorls distinguish H. barbieri n. sp. at once from most other Philippine Chilodontidae, except from:

Herpetopoma naokoae n. sp.
Is half the size of H. barbieri n. sp., does not have any color pattern, has a much broader shell and a wider protoconch. H. naokoae n. sp. has only 4 spiral ribs on the penultimate whorl, which are not so incised as in H. barbieri n. sp.

Herpetopoma rubrum (A. Adams, 1853)
Is much smaller, has a finer sculpture and is globose, not elongate in shape. Its coloration is brown, red or black. We have never observed a white specimen.

Danilia stratmanni n.sp.
This species is larger, much broader and has a much finer sculpture.

Agathodonta nortoni McLean, 1984
Can be distinguished at once because of its bigger, broader shaped and wide gaping aperture. The columellar tooth is double in A. nortoni while single in H. barbieri n. sp.