Shell size average for the genus. The shape is conical with 4 slightly convex whorls. Protoconch dark brown, elevated, and with smooth and shiny surface. The suture is hardly visible. The sculpture of the whorls consists of 5 rows of widely spaced spiral ribs. There is a fine axial sculpture between these ribs, more pronounced near the sutures than elsewhere. There is a huge spiral rib on the keel, covered with white spots. On the quite Hal base there are 11 spiral ribs of equal strength with fine axial striae in between. Umbilicus is open, deep and white in color. Columella is straight and the parietal side of the aperture is partly covered with a white callus. Aperture inside is of white mother-of-pearl. Base color is dark brown even black. The pattern consists of sparse while flecks, more pronounced and evenly spaced on the major spiral rib on the keel. Base with multiple evenly spaced white spots.

Gibbula houarti n. sp. is here compared with
• Gibbula fulgens Gould, 1861
From Japan. Is much smaller, green to golden brown colored, has not such a pronounced umbilicus and the sculpture on the body whorl consists of three flat spiral ribs while in G. houarti n. sp. the sculpture consists of raised spiral ribs.The peripheral rib is strong in G. houarti n. sp., not in G. fulgens.
• Gibbula reevei (Montrouzier in Souverbie & Montrouzier. 1866)
Differs from this species in the absence of the pronounced peripheral rib and in the presence of intermediate spirals (see Herbert, 1996, figs. 28-31).

TYPE LOCALITY
The Philippines, Balicasag Island.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Known from different Islands: Mactan, Balicasag and Aliguay. The species lives on an average depth of 50 m.