Shell up to 33.0 mm in length, fusiformly elongate-ovate and slightly inflated, teleoconch of 7-8 convex whorls, protoconch of 3.5 smooth, glassy-pink embryonic whorls. Post-embryonic whorls with spiral and axial grooves which produce small, oblong and flat granules, sculpture of later whorls extremely variable, the granulose sculpture is sometimes absent and is replaced by punctate spiral grooves; in coarsely sculptured individuals the penultimate whorl has 4-6 spiral rows of fillets and the body whorl either has 20 spiral rows of flat granules and 6 basal cords or 2-3 rows of granules at the shoulder of the body whorl followed by 7-10 spiral grooves and 8-10 basal cords. Aperture longer than the spire, smooth within, outer lip thickened and bluntly denticulate, columella with 5-6 folds, siphonal notch distinct. Variable in color, some specimens orange-brown with sutural area white and white blotches on spire, other specimens grayish-yellow, with suture and siphonal fasciole white, and small white spots and flames on body whorl, aperture porcellaneous-white and with a distinct pinkish cast in fresh specimens.

Range - From Lord Howe to the Kermadec and Pitcairn Islands. Subtidal, 31-101 m, coral and rubble substratum.