Thick; cream with a band of faint brown axial blotches on lower part of each whorl, and a second one on base. Narrow, with high, straight-sided spire, suture deep, adjacent surface slightly stepped, spire whorls convex. Inner lip concave, smooth; outer lip preceded by a varix, interior with about 8 weak denticles, edge with a notch near base. Axial ribs strong, crests rounded, slightly oblique, extending from suture to base, 12-14 on last whorl; spiral ridges equal in strength to ribs, low, rounded, forming slight nodules where they cross ribs, ca 5 on penultimate whorl, ca 7 cords on rostrum. Length ca 8.5 mm.
Distribution and habitat: Known only from beach-worn shells collected at the type locality. Note: Differs from the other South African Retizafra species in coloration and in its more numerous axial ribs. Types: Holotype of Costoanachis valae, NMSA W599; paratypes, NMSA W600 and W4297, and in private
hands; type loc. Xora River mouth, Transkei.